a tough cookie

/ə tʌf ˈkʊki/◆idiom

resilient person

Despite losing his job and facing financial struggles, Mark remained a tough cookie and never gave up.

Mark stayed strong and determined despite hardships.

◆ What It Really Means

a person who is emotionally or mentally strong and resilient in the face of adversity

¶ Literal Meaning

a cookie that is physically tough or hard to bite/break

Literal Breakdown

toughhard, difficult to break or chew+cookiea baked sweet treat

◇ Mental Image

The mental image is of a cookie that is so hard it cannot be easily broken, symbolizing a person who is unshaken by challenges.

◈ When to Use

Imagine someone facing a major setback, like losing a job or going through a breakup. A friend might say, 'She's a tough cookie—she'll get through this.'

◉ Cultural Note

This idiom reflects a cultural admiration for stoicism and perseverance, common in many English-speaking societies. It aligns with the 'stiff upper lip' ethos historically prominent in British culture and the 'tough it out' mentality in American culture.

informal

a person who is strong, resilient, and able to handle difficult situations without losing their composure

Even after the accident, she was still a tough cookie who never complained.

She remained strong and didn't show weakness.

He's a tough cookie; nothing seems to phase him.

He handles stress well and stays calm.

Often used to describe someone with emotional or mental strength, not physical toughness.

Collocations

be a tough cookieto be strong/resilientprove to be a tough cookieto show resilience

Synonyms

strong character resilient person tough nut hardy soul

Antonyms

weakling pushover fragile person

Related Phrases

tough nut to crackidiom

a difficult problem or person to understand/handle

hard as nailsidiom

very tough or unfeeling

tough as old bootsidiom

very strong or durable

Pro Tip

Avoid literal interpretation

This idiom does not refer to actual cookies or physical toughness. Focus on the metaphorical meaning of resilience or emotional strength.

Gold Rule

Use in appropriate contexts

Reserve this phrase for informal settings where you want to compliment someone's strength or resilience. It would sound out of place in a formal report or legal document.

Word Origin

The phrase likely emerged in the early-to-mid 20th century in American English. 'Tough' implies strength and resilience, while 'cookie' metaphorically represents a person (possibly influenced by the idea of a hard, unbreakable object). The term may also draw from the idea of a 'tough nut to crack,' where 'nut' was later replaced with 'cookie' for a softer, more colloquial tone.

Usage Notes

This idiom is informal and often used in casual conversation. It carries a positive connotation, implying admiration for someone's ability to endure hardship. Avoid using it in formal or professional settings unless the context is relaxed.

Word Breakdown

tough

strong, resilient, or durable

adjective

a person (metaphorical)

noun

English Dictionary

Weitere English→English-Wörter durchsuchen →