tough as nails
Hard to break
Tough as nails describes someone or something extremely hardy, durable, or resilient.
The phrase suggests the unyielding quality of metal fasteners—hard to bend, hard to break: She survived three rounds of chemo and came back tough as nails.
It often carries admiration for physical or emotional endurance under difficult conditions.
Determination or abrasive particles
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
endurance · survivor · determination · hardiness · bounceback · recovery · adaptability · steadfastness
Resistant to damage
- sturdySolidly built, durable
- robustStrong and durable
- ruggedTough and uneven
- heavy-dutyBuilt for hard use
indestructible · reinforced · weatherproof · solid · long-lasting · unbreakable · reliable · enduring
Refusing to show fear
- unflappableImpossible to disturb
- impassiveWithout visible emotion
- steelyHard and unwavering
- stone-facedRevealing no expression
poker-faced · imperturbable · composed · cool-headed · level-headed · unmoved · steady · nerves of steel
Refusing to change course
- relentlessContinuing without pause
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- iron-willedStubbornly firm in purpose
- unbendingRefusing to change position
unbreakable · immovable · steadfast · resolute · dogged · persistent · unrelenting · unwavering
grit
Determination or abrasive particles
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
stamina · endurance · survivor · determination · hardiness · bounceback · recovery · adaptability · steadfastness · staying power
hardwearing
Resistant to damage
heavy-duty · indestructible · reinforced · weatherproof · solid · long-lasting · unbreakable · reliable · enduring · armored
unflinching
Refusing to show fear
- unflappableImpossible to disturb
- impassiveWithout visible emotion
- steelyHard and unwavering
stone-faced · poker-faced · imperturbable · composed · cool-headed · level-headed · unmoved · steady · nerves of steel · iron-willed
stubborn
Refusing to change course
- relentlessContinuing without pause
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- iron-willedStubbornly firm in purpose
unbending · unbreakable · immovable · steadfast · resolute · dogged · persistent · unrelenting · unwavering · staunch
- folk sayingsproverb, adage, maxim, folk saying, old saying
- blacksmithinganvil, anvils, forge, forges, bellows
tough as nailsfragile
Easily broken or damaged
delicate · weak · brittle · sensitive · vulnerable
tough as nailsmilquetoast
Meek, unassertive person
wishy-washy · spineless · weak-willed · pushover · yielding
tough, nail, nails, toughness, nailed, nailing, toenail, tougher, fingernail