Meanings
adjectivetough as nails (not comparable)
- idiomaticnot comparablesimileHaving a hard, strong, and determined mindset.
Near-synonyms: hardcore, diehard, steely-spined, steely-nerved, steely-eyed, steely, flinty
Synonyms: tough as teak, tough as old boots, hard as nails, hardcore, diehard, steely-spined, steely-nerved, steely-eyed
Synonyms & antonyms
adjectiveHaving a hard, strong, and determined mindset.
adjectiveVery tough.
Translations
French dur(e) à cuire
- dur(e) à cuirehaving a determined mindset
Cite this entry
APA
tough as nails. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/tough%20as%20nails
MLA
“tough as nails.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/tough%20as%20nails. Accessed November 5, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “tough as nails,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/tough%20as%20nails.
Source: tough as nails on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.