A tough cookie
Meaning
A person who is resilient, strong-willed, and not easily intimidated or defeated by challenges.
Origin
The phrase "a tough cookie" conjures the image of a biscuit baked so hard it resists crumbling, a delightful metaphor for a person of formidable character. While the precise moment of its birth remains a culinary mystery, this idiom solidified its place in American English during the early 20th century. Here, "cookie" became a warm, informal term for a person, much like a "smart cookie" or an "odd cookie." When combined with "tough," it painted a vivid picture of someone unyielding, resilient, and not easily intimidated—a person who, much like a dense, sturdy cookie, simply won't crumble under pressure.
Examples
- Despite facing numerous setbacks, she proved to be a tough cookie and never gave up on her dreams.
- You'll need to be a tough cookie to succeed in that highly competitive industry.