tough cookie
Hard to crack
A tough cookie is someone who is strong, resilient, and not easily intimidated or discouraged.
The phrase combines the literal hardness of an overbaked cookie with figurative mental or emotional toughness.
It often carries a tone of admiration or respect, suggesting the person can handle difficult situations without breaking down.
She's a tough cookie—nothing seems to faze her.
The phrase can also describe someone who is stubborn or difficult to deal with in negotiations.
Urban survival instincts
- streetwiseShrewd from urban experience
- savvyPractical shrewdness
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
resourceful · scrappy · cunning · quick-witted · worldly · experienced · clever · pragmatic
Able to recover quickly
- survivorOne still alive after
- unbreakableImpossible to damage
- indomitableCannot be overcome
- thick-skinnedResistant to criticism
battle-tested · hardened · weathered · steadfast · undaunted · impervious · steely · armored
Refusing to change course
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- headstrongStubbornly self-willed
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- defiantOpenly resisting control
immovable · unbending · adamant · pigheaded · bullheaded · willful · contrary · difficult
Firmly committed to purpose
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- drivenIntensely determined to achieve
- relentlessContinuing without pause
resolute · dogged · gritty · ambitious · persevering · single-minded · willful · motivated
Inspiring fear or respect
- intimidatingInspiring fear or unease
- fierceViolently intense or aggressive
- feistyAggressively spirited
- force of natureIrresistible power or person
no-nonsense · commanding · hard-nosed · imposing · strong-willed · take-no-prisoners · sharp-tongued · stern
street-smart
Urban survival instincts
- streetwiseShrewd from urban experience
- savvyPractical shrewdness
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
sharp · resourceful · scrappy · cunning · quick-witted · worldly · experienced · clever · pragmatic · hustler
resilient
Able to recover quickly
- survivorOne still alive after
- unbreakableImpossible to damage
- indomitableCannot be overcome
thick-skinned · battle-tested · hardened · weathered · steadfast · undaunted · impervious · steely · armored · unflinching
stubborn
Refusing to change course
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- headstrongStubbornly self-willed
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
defiant · immovable · unbending · adamant · pigheaded · bullheaded · willful · contrary · difficult · hard-headed
determined
Firmly committed to purpose
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- drivenIntensely determined to achieve
relentless · resolute · dogged · gritty · ambitious · persevering · single-minded · willful · motivated · tireless
formidable
Inspiring fear or respect
- intimidatingInspiring fear or unease
- fierceViolently intense or aggressive
- feistyAggressively spirited
force of nature · no-nonsense · commanding · hard-nosed · imposing · strong-willed · take-no-prisoners · sharp-tongued · stern · iron-fisted
- food idiomspiece of cake, bread winner, low-hanging fruit, cool as a cucumber, bad egg
- tough guysthug, thugs, enforcer, enforcers, bruiser
- challengeschallenge, difficult, hard, challenging, obstacle
- tough peoplebadass, bruiser, fighter, warrior, brawler
- Taskmasterstaskmaster, disciplinarian, martinet, drill sergeant, drill instructor
tough cookiepushover
Easily defeated opponent
doormat · easy mark · soft touch · sucker · patsy
tough cookiesoftie
Tenderhearted person
tender heart · emotional wreck · fragile ego · bleeding heart
tough, cookie, cookies, toughness, toughen, toughie, toughest, toughened, toughening