tough as nails: meaning & examples
Open in appLanguage: English
Meanings:
- Extremely tough, hardy, or durable; able to withstand hardship, difficulty, or physical strain.
Examples
BetaJake is tough as nails; he worked all day in the freezing rain without complaining.
Jake is extremely tough; he worked all day in the freezing rain without complaining.
The old truck may look beat up, but it’s tough as nails and runs like a charm.
The old truck is very durable and runs reliably.
You have to be tough as nails to survive in this line of work.
You have to be extremely hardy to survive in this line of work.
- Mentally or emotionally resolute and uncompromising; stern, unsentimental, and not easily intimidated or upset.
Examples
BetaThe judge was tough as nails, showing no leniency during the sentencing.
The judge was mentally and emotionally resolute, showing no leniency during the sentencing.
She remains tough as nails despite all the criticism she has faced throughout her career.
She remains emotionally strong despite all the criticism she has faced throughout her career.
Don’t expect him to back down easily; he’s tough as nails when it comes to negotiations.
Don’t expect him to back down easily; he’s very resolute during negotiations.
Examples:
- EN: They've been soaked in brine for a year and they're tough as nails.ES: Han recibido lo suyo durante este año y ahora son como acero.
- EN: They've been soaked in brine for a year and they're tough as nails.ES: Han recibido lo suyo durante este año y ahora son como acero.
- EN: The Russians, they're tough as nails.ES: Los rusos son duros de pelar.
- EN: As a columnist, you've got to be as tough as nails.ES: Como columnista eres durísima.
- EN: She's tough as nails.ES: Es dura.
- EN: As tough as nails.ES: Fuerte como el hormigón.
- EN: They're as tough as nails.ES: Son como piedras...
- EN: You're tough as nails.ES: Eres de fierro.
- EN: The French believe servicemen should be tough as nails, and at the end of the day, they always turn to servicemen, whether it be to restore order, to prevent a coup-d'état, or to organize a coup-d'état.ES: Los franceses creen que los militares deben ser duros como clavos, y al final del día, siempre se giran hacia los militares, cuando es para restaurar el orden, para prevenir un golpe de estado, o para organizar un golpe de estado.
- EN: I know guys on the bomb squad, tough as nails, nerves of steel, that couldn't work for you.ES: Conozco a tipos en la Unidad Antibombas, tipos fuertes, con nervios de acero, que no podrían trabajar para ti.
- EN: In business, I'm tough as nails.ES: En los negocios soy muy duro.
- EN: He's tough as nails.ES: Pembroke no, es como una roca.
- EN: These disabled folks are tough as nails.ES: Estos inválidos tienen el pellejo duro.
- EN: Get in here. Watch out. This girl is tough as nails.ES: Y cuidado, esta chica es dura como piedra.
- EN: He's as tough as nails.ES: Es tan duro como una roca.
- EN: You were tough as nails.ES: Eras muy dura.
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Source: Wiktionary