Tough times can show your true mettle, but perhaps if you were a former Olympian, tough times might make you pull out your medal, which is made of metal. I won’t ask you too much about that though, because I don’t want to meddle.
Yes, I could see how these four words could be confusing at first glance. Some mistakes between them might be typos, but often, I believe, it’s an ignorance of the word “mettle.”
Showing your strength and fortitude isn’t showing your metal, even though I could see why some logic might take you there.
- “Mettle” means to have a strong character, to be courageous, or to have an even temperament.
- “Metal” is a hard substance that your chemistry teacher, a geologist, or an electrician could probably tell you all about. If you’re into hair bands, you might know of another kind of metal (music).
- A “medal” is an award for achievement or bravery that is often made of metal.
- To “meddle” means to put your nose in someone else’s business.
Should you get a medal for knowing these differences? Maybe not, but you should feel pretty good about yourself anyway.