steely-eyed missile man UK /ˈstiːliˌaɪd ˈmɪsaɪl ˌmæn/US /ˈstiliˌaɪd ˈmɪs(ə)l ˌmæn/ noun1 •(US, slang) An astronaut or engineer who quickly comes up with a solution to a difficult problem while under extreme pressure.“Message reads: ‘Houston, be advised: Rich Purnell is a steely-eyed missile man’.” / “What?” Brendan asked. “Who the hell is Rich Purnell?” — 2011 formssteely-eyed missile men