stubborn

(as) stubborn as a mule

Extremely reluctant or unwilling to change a particular opinion, behavior, or course of action, especially when faced with opposition. My toddler is as stubborn as a mule, and he'll throw a tantrum any time he doesn't get what he wants. You'll never get Rich to change his opinion—he's stubborn as a mule.
See also: mule, stubborn

be (as) stubborn as a mule

To be very devoted to a particular opinion or course of action, especially when faced with opposition. My toddler is as stubborn as a mule and has a tantrum every night at bedtime because he doesn't want to stop playing. You'll never get Rich to change his opinion—he's stubborn as a mule.
See also: mule, stubborn

facts are stubborn things

proverb Facts cannot be changed or altered. I know she's insisting that she wasn't speeding, but facts are stubborn things—she'll have a hard time proving her innocence when the officer's speed radar clocked how fast she was going.
See also: fact, stubborn, thing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*stubborn as a mule

 and *obstinate as a mule
Cliché very stubborn. (*Also: as ~.) I tried to convince Jake to go to the doctor, but he's as stubborn as a mule. For four years, Henry pestered his parents to let him learn the trumpet. They tried to talk him into some other, quieter instrument, but he was stubborn as a mule, and now he has a trumpet.
See also: mule, stubborn
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

stubborn as a mule

Extremely obstinate, as in He's stubborn as a mule about wearing a suit and tie. This simile evokes the proverbial stubbornness of mules, whose use as draft animals was once so common that the reputation for obstinacy can hardly be as warranted as the term indicates. [Early 1800s]
See also: mule, stubborn
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

stubborn as a mule

If someone is as stubborn as a mule, they are determined to do what they want and very unwilling to change their mind. For all his pleasant manner, the Texan was stubborn as a mule, and he didn't like being pushed. Old Greg is also stubborn as a mule. He won't say anything — he'll just carry on doing what he planned. Note: This expression is usually used to show disapproval.
See also: mule, stubborn
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

stubborn as a mule

extremely stubborn. informal
See also: mule, stubborn
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

(as) ˌstubborn as a ˈmule

(often disapproving) very determined not to change your opinion or attitude; obstinate: If you tell her what to do, she won’t do it because she’s as stubborn as a mule. Why not just suggest it to her?
See also: mule, stubborn
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

stubborn as a mule

Singularly obstinate. No one knows why mules in particular have been singled out for this quality, but they have, for centuries. “Contrary” and “obstinate” are other adjectives used in the simile, which became current in the early 1800s and remains so. The same is meant by the adjective mulish.
See also: mule, stubborn
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • (as) obstinate as a mule
  • (as) stubborn as a mule
  • mule
  • obstinate
  • stubborn as a mule
  • be (as) stubborn as a mule
  • cooperate on (something) with (someone or something)
  • cooperate with (someone or something) on (something)
  • cooperate with
  • cooperate with (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
He should have 'arrogant, ignorant and stubborn' emblazoned on his CV."
Hotline; ANTHONY HAGGERTY ANSWERS YOUR CALLS
Referring to his previous conversation with Clinton and also with the Saudi Prince Turki in this regard about bringing bin Laden to justice, Sharif had said the Taliban are very stubborn on this issue and that they are unlikely to listen to him.
Bill Clinton sought Nawaz Sharif's help to avert Qaeda attack: Document
My observations and reflections will be limited; and are meant to create a context for your critical reflections and a challenge to better inform yourself concerning the reality or "state of affairs" in our province, country and our health system as the provincial government and health system leaders struggle with the "stubborn facts" and our "wishes, inclinations and passions" for health services in New Brunswick.
Facts are stubborn things
"The government's stubborn behaviour will do it no good.
Samajwadi Party to unveil its strategy after today's "Bharat bandh"
But while their stubborn approach may leave Pardew facing an anxious wait - his players are already back in training with only Romain Amalfitano and Gael Bigirimana added to the squad - he can at least comfort himself with the knowledge that they will be equally firm on their valuations of men he would dearly like to retain.
Pardew left to wait on signings; football ROUND-UP
The Ministry said in a statement issued Friday that the Russian Stroytransgaz Company in Homs came under gun fires by terrorists on Wednesday night, and this underlines that the stubborn Syrian opposition goes on the way of using terrorist means against civilians, organizations, including the foreign companies that work to guarantee a normal life in the country.
Russian Foreign Ministry: Stubborn opposition's use of terrorist means deserve international condemnation
The threat is blackmail", goes one of the recent entries I read on a blog-spot in reference to the stubborn stance of Anna Hazare on his fast-unto-death campaign against corruption.
Perils of Impatience
ARSENE WENGER maintains he is not stubborn when it comes to buying players, but again stressed finding the right men to strengthen Arsenal is not easy.
Not stubborn; In brief
NEW DELHI -- Food price inflation eased to an 18-month low of 7.47% in early May, slowing from the previous week's 7.70% driven largely by declining prices of pulses, wheat and vegetables but economist said overall inflation still remained stubborn and may prompt the Reserve Bank of India to raise interest rates in its June policy review.
FOOD INFLATION 18 MONTH LOW
Clinique Take The Day Offpounds 14 This really does tackle the most stubborn of long-lasters.
VANISHING ACT
The poetry oeuvre of Dennis Vincent Brutus (1924-2009) Yet somewhere lingers the stubborn hope thus to endure can be a kind of fight, preserve some value, assert some faith and even have a kind of worth.
The poetry oeuvre of Dennis Vincent Brutus (1924-2009)
Summary: Maicon produced an astonishing goal out of the blue to set Brazil on their way to a 2-1 win over a stubborn North Korea.
Group G: Brazil 2 - 1 North Korea
Stubborn is her first full-length release and it showcases her ability to compose and arrange the music herself--with the exception of two reworked tracks originally by The Cure and Serge Gainsbourg.
ElodieO: Stubborn
The Springfield Public Library invites readers of Lauren Kessler's "Stubborn Twig: Three Generations in the Life of a Japanese American Family" to talk about the book together.
BRIEFLY
A new heavy duty multi-purpose cleaner from ROCOL provides powerful degreasing and cleaning performance which is ideal for the removal of stubborn materials.
Cleaning power