tough as an old boot
(as) tough as an old boot
1. Having great physical strength, health, or resilience. Marty has played in 500 straight games, and he's still going strong. That guy's tough as an old boot. Bert is as tough as an old boot, so he'll have no trouble helping you move all this furniture!
2. Having a very tough, leathery texture or consistency (as of meat). This steak is as tough as an old boot—I can barely even cut through it with a knife! That chicken's going to end up tough as an old boot if you leave it in the oven any longer.
3. Resistant to emotional reactions or displays. Our aunt is as tough as an old boot, so we asked her to give the eulogy, knowing that she's the only one who could do it without crying.
4. Determined, resolute, or inflexible. You'll never get Rich to change his opinion—he's as tough as an old boot when it comes to politics.
See also: boot, old, tough
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
*tough as an old boot
and *tough as old (shoe) leather1. [of meat] very tough. (*Also: as ~.) This meat is tough as an old boot. Bob couldn't eat the steak. It was as tough as an old boot.
2. [of someone] very strong willed. (*Also: as ~.) When Brian was lost in the mountains, his friends did not fear for him; they knew he was tough as leather. My English teacher was as tough as an old boot.
3. [of someone] not easily moved by feelings such as pity. (*Also: as ~.) She doesn't care. She's as tough as old shoe leather. He was born tough as an old boot and has only grown more rigid.
See also: boot, old, tough
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- (as) tough as an old boot
- (as) tough as (old) (shoe) leather
- leather
- tough as leather
- be (as) tough as old boots
- be (as) tough as nails
- be (as) tough as shoe leather
- iron man
- blowhard
- has got game