a tough cookie

tough cookie

A strong, determined person who is not easily intimidated, discouraged, or defeated. Our principal was a little lady, but she was one tough cookie! She had a difficult childhood, but she's a tough cookie. I know she'll be a success.
See also: cookie, tough
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a tough cookie

or

one tough cookie

If someone is a tough cookie or one tough cookie, they are confident, brave and determined. A pushover is not how I'd describe her. Behind that sweet smile, there lies a tough cookie. He has a reputation as one tough cookie.
See also: cookie, tough
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a tough ˈcustomer/ˈcookie

(informal) a person who knows what they want and is not easily influenced by other people: Self-confident, ambitious and positive, Paula is a tough cookie who is bound to do well.
See also: cookie, customer, tough
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a tough customer/cookie
  • be in low spirits
  • appear to
  • a change of heart
  • a mystery to (one)
  • a shoulder to cry on
  • a yellow streak
  • a turn of phrase
  • able to do
  • able to do it
References in periodicals archive
"Brad is a tough cookie and actually tougher than people say.
Guzan's a tough cookie - boo boys won't bother him
Relieved Barrie said: "Star is a tough cookie and came out of it OK.
He's a tough cookie but he finally pushed his luck a bit too far BARRIE HAYMAN on feisty star the duck
Down the Dog and Ruck; Britain's booziest duck injures beak in pub fight with a pooch
"The thing is," she says, "I look like a tough cookie, I sound like a tough cookie, and that's the problem, I'm sort of typecast.
Cracking a tough cookie
Unlike the nebbishy Soukaz, however, Dominique is a go-getter, a tough cookie. Her romantic ardor is second in intensity to her self-protective instincts, and Huppert conveys Dominique's stoicism with stirring economy.
The School of Flesh
She's such a strong, tough girl - she's a tough cookie, that one.
On CherandKatie
With Ronnie squawking away like a pro-abortion campaigner, it would be a tough cookie who decided to fly in the face of her wisdom.
We love telly: WE LOVE SOAPS
"I am a tough cookie and can fight my own corner but the trauma for me was incredible.
Liddell's cancer pledge