(as) sharp as a steel trap

Able to understand or grasp information quickly. David's as sharp as a steel trap, so if you give him the instructions, he'll follow them perfectly. My grandmother became very physically incapacitated as she grew older, but her mind was as sharp as a steel trap until the day she died. Is he really pulling a door that's clearly marked "push"? Not exactly sharp as a steel trap, is he?

(as) strong as steel

1. Extremely durable and difficult to bend or break. This species of shark is covered in scale-like structures that are strong as steel. This special fabric is remarkably lightweight and flexible but strong as steel. Don't worry about dropping that end table—like all things built by your grandfather, it's as strong as steel.

2. Extremely stable, robust, and enduring. Our relationship has lasted because our love is strong as steel. The unification of the six kingdoms created an empire as strong as steel. This contract is strong as steel, I'm afraid. There's no way you can get out of it without penalty.

(as) true as steel

1. Unwaveringly loyal, dependable, and trustworthy; having unquestionable moral principles. The financial accounts are in good hands with Mr. Thompson, here—he's the best in the industry, and as true as steel. She's the one person in the whole operation I'd consider true as steel, the only one I'd put such faith in. I want to hire Pete because he was always true as steel when he worked for me at my last company.

2. Absolutely correct; not untrue in the slightest. They say that actions speak louder than words, and that's as true as steel when it comes to politics. A: "Is what he said correct, Tom?" B: "Yep—true as steel." A: "I know this contract offer seems downright comical, but their lawyer says it's true as steel." B: "In that case, I don't even want to make a counteroffer."

a mind like a steel trap

A mind capable of understanding or grasping information quickly. David has a mind like a steel trap, so if you give him the instructions, he'll follow them perfectly. My grandmother is nearly 96 years old, but she still has a mind like a steel trap. Shoot, she remembers things better than me most of the time! Molly has a mind like a steel trap, so go ask her—she'll probably remember.

be (as) strong as steel

1. To be extremely durable and difficult to bend or break. This species of shark is covered in scale-like structures that are strong as steel. This special fabric may be lightweight and flexible, but it's as strong as steel. Don't worry about dropping that end table—like all things built by your grandfather, it's as strong as steel.

2. To be extremely stable, robust, and enduring. Our relationship has lasted because our love is strong as steel. The unification of the six kingdoms resulted in an empire that was as strong as steel. This contract is strong as steel, I'm afraid. There's no way you can get out of it without penalty.

have a mind as sharp as a steel trap

To be able to understand or grasp information quickly. David has a mind as sharp as a steel trap, so if you give him the instructions, he'll follow them perfectly. My grandmother became very physically incapacitated as she grew older, but she had a mind as sharp as a steel trap until the day she died. Is he really pulling a door that's clearly marked "push"? He doesn't exactly have a mind as sharp as a steel trap, does he?

See also: have, mind, sharp, steel, trap

have a mind like a steel trap

To be able to understand or grasp information quickly. David has a mind like a steel trap, so if you give him the instructions, he'll follow them perfectly. My grandmother became very physically incapacitated as she grew older, but she had a mind like a steel trap until the day she died. Is he really pulling a door that's clearly marked "push"? He doesn't exactly have a mind like a steel trap, does he?

have nerves of steel

To have the ability to stay calm at all times, even during pressure-filled situations. If you're going to be a neurosurgeon, you need to have nerves of steel—there's no time to panic when you're operating on someone's brain. My mother had nerves of steel, and she never backed down from danger. Grandpa has nerves of steel because he was a pilot for 30 years.

nerves of steel

The ability to stay calm at all times, even during pressure-filled situations. Steel is known for being very strong. If you're going to be a neurosurgeon, you need to have nerves of steel—there's no time to panic when you're operating on someone's brain. My mother had nerves of steel, and she never backed down from danger.

of steel

Used to describe something exceptionally tough, resilient, or coldly unyielding. My mother had nerves of steel, and she never backed down from danger. He had a look of steel that would intimidate even the toughest negotiators.

ring of steel

1. A group of armed guards that encircle someone or something as a means of protection or to prevent escape. Police are planning to protect the family with a ring of steel during tomorrows funeral, following death threats made against them.

2. A system of security cameras set up around the perimeter of a city, usually to capture license plate information of cars passing in or out. The city announced it would be investing a quarter of a million taxpayer dollars into a new ring of steel, meant to cut accidents, catch speeders, and alert police to the location of suspects.

steel (one's) heart against (someone or something)

To stop or keep oneself from feeling kindness and compassion towards someone or something. I worry that all the trauma she's already been through at such a young age will steel her heart against other people.

steel (someone or oneself) against (someone or something)

To cause someone or oneself to be mentally and emotionally prepared, obdurate, and unyielding in the face of some difficult or unpleasant person, task, situation, outcome, etc. The future may look grim, but we must steel ourselves against the challenges ahead. Our people have long been steeled against would be tyrants like you! I know I'm tough on you, but I'm trying to steel you against life's many difficulties and disappointments.

steel (someone or oneself) for (something)

To cause someone or oneself to be mentally and emotionally prepared for and hardened against some difficult or unpleasant task, situation, outcome, etc. As horrible as the prospect may be, we all must steel ourselves for war. I know I'm tough on you, but I'm trying to steel you for the challenges you'll face later in life.

steel magnolia

colloquial A woman who at once exhibits traditionally feminine qualities as well as indefatigable strength, determination, and resolve. Primarily heard in US. My grandma was a real steel magnolia, let me tell ya. She was a lady through and through, but when she set her mind to doing something, nothing on God's green earth would stop her. The candidate is aiming to be a steel magnolia in the eyes of voters, to show the nation that a woman in a dress and makeup can be as tough a politician as anyone else.

have a mind as sharp as a steel trap

Fig. to be very intelligent. She's a smart kid. Has a mind as sharp as a steel trap. They say the professor has a mind as sharp as a steel trap, but then why can't he figure out which bus to take in the morning?

See also: have, mind, sharp, steel, trap

nerves of steel

Fig. very steady nerves; great patience and courage. I was scared to death, but Fred, who has nerves of steel, faced the thugs bravely.

steel oneself for someone or something

to prepare oneself for someone or something difficult or unpleasant; to get ready to face someone or something. Aunt Helen is coming for a visit. We should steel ourselves for her. I think something is going wrong. We had better steel ourselves for a shock.

steel someone against someone or something

to fortify someone against someone or something; to prepare someone to endure someone or something. I tried to steel Liz against Carl, who was bringing her some very bad news. We steeled her against the bad news.

*true as steel

very loyal and dependable. (*Also: as ~.) Through all my troubles, my husband has been as true as steel. Pedro was a staunch friend, true as steel.

mind like a steel trap, have a

Be very quick to understand something, as in Aunt Ida may be old, but she still has a mind like a steel trap. This simile likens the snapping shut of an animal trap to a quick mental grasp.

steel one's heart against

Also, harden one's heart. Suppress one's feelings for, as in He finally steeled his heart against them and refused the loan, or You'll just have to harden your heart and tell them the truth. This metaphoric idiom transfers making something hard to rendering oneself insensible or unfeeling. Versions of it date from the late 1500s. Also see heart of stone.

nerves of steel

If someone has nerves of steel, they do not get nervous or frightened even in very difficult or dangerous situations. You need nerves of steel in this business and I've got them. You need nerves of steel to be a formula one driver.

have nerves of steel

not be easily upset or frightened.

ring of steel

an encircling armed barrier preventing escape or restricting access.

have nerves of ˈsteel

not be easily frightened in a difficult or dangerous situation: She won’t be nervous about doing it. She’s got nerves of steel.

of ˈsteel

having a quality like steel, especially a strong, cold or hard quality: She felt a hand of steel (= a strong, firm hand) on her arm. ♢ There was a hint of steel in his voice (= he sounded cold and firm).