hard as nails
Tough beyond measure
Hard as nails describes someone tough, unfeeling, or unsentimental—the kind of person who doesn't flinch or show weakness: She's hard as nails in negotiations.
The phrase can suggest admirable resilience or cold ruthlessness depending on context.
Less commonly, it describes something physically very hard or durable.
Able to recover quickly
- durableAble to withstand use
- sturdySolidly built, durable
- robustStrong and durable
- strongHaving great physical power
unyielding · tenacious · rugged · hardy · solid · ironclad · staunch · vigorous
Stubbornly refusing to yield
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- stubbornRefusing to change course
- rigidUnable to bend
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
immovable · intransigent · implacable · unrelenting · unbending · steadfast · iron-willed · unswerving
Cruelly insensitive to others
- heartlessLacking pity or mercy
- coldLow temperature state
- pitilessLacking any compassion
- mercilessShowing no clemency
cutthroat · unsparing · remorseless · brutal · severe · harsh · stony · uncompassionate
Sustained effort capacity
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
indestructible · unbreakable · survivor · recovery · steadfastness · grit · backbone · mettle
Causing intense alarm
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
- fierceViolently intense or aggressive
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- grimHarsh and foreboding
daunting · commanding · steely · imposing · no-nonsense · mean · gruff · stony-faced
resilient
Able to recover quickly
strong · unyielding · tenacious · rugged · hardy · solid · ironclad · staunch · vigorous · fortified
adamant
Stubbornly refusing to yield
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- stubbornRefusing to change course
- rigidUnable to bend
uncompromising · immovable · intransigent · implacable · unrelenting · unbending · steadfast · iron-willed · unswerving · indomitable
callous
Cruelly insensitive to others
merciless · cutthroat · unsparing · remorseless · brutal · severe · harsh · stony · uncompassionate · cold-blooded
endurance
Sustained effort capacity
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
tenacity · indestructible · unbreakable · survivor · recovery · steadfastness · grit · backbone · mettle · staying power
fearsome
Causing intense alarm
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
- fierceViolently intense or aggressive
- sternStrict or ship's aft
grim · daunting · commanding · steely · imposing · no-nonsense · mean · gruff · stony-faced · ice-cold
- toughnessgrit, stamina, endurance, tenacity, resilience
hard as nailssoft-hearted
Readily feeling sympathy
tender · sensitive · tender-hearted · sentimental · thin-skinned
hard as nailstender
Soft or sore
gentle · compassionate · kindhearted · warm · soft
hard, nail, harden, nails, hardness, hardened, harder, nailed, hardening