put smb. on his mettle

   вooдушeвить, pacшeвeлить кoгo-л., пpoбудить pвeниe в кoм-л.; paззaдopить кoгo-л.

    This unlucky encounter with Girand had roused Poirot and put him on his mettle (A. Christie). Ordinarily, Mrs. Abinger did not feel the need to talk if she had nothing to say, but the Grays put her on her mettle. They were perfectly friendly, but somehow without being superior (M. Dickens)