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.

tough cookie

a person who is difficult to deal with. He's a tough cookie, but I can handle him. There was a tough cookie in here this morning who demanded to see the manager.
See also: cookie, tough
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

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

tough cookie

n. a tough person. There was a tough cookie in here this morning who demanded to see the manager.
See also: cookie, tough
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • a tough cookie
  • 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
References in periodicals archive
And when you met the man in person, the one thing that struck you was that as well as being funny, he was obviously one tough cookie.
"We knew he was a tough cookie. A story like that is what football is all about, I am really pleased for him.
She was one tough cookie in Our Girl but now Michelle Keegan has embraced flour power.
They know that we will be a tough cookie for them."
The US president called Greg Gianforte a "tough cookie" and said he thinks the attack on Ben Jacobs might have helped the Republican win election in Montana.
Summary: TEHRAN (FNA)- US President Donald Trump described his European counterpart as a "tough, tough cookie" who gave into US pressure to negotiate a new trade deal after Washington threatened tariffs on European autos.
The elderly woman, described as a 'tough cookie', was hurt after becoming involved in a struggle with the intruders.
A 95-year-old woman, described as "a tough cookie" by police, was injured as she bravely fought off robbers who broke into her home.
A "TOUGH cookie" aged 95 was injured as she fought off five robbers who broke into her home.
BRAD Guzan is a "tough cookie" and will not be affected by the criticism from the stands.
I consider myself to be a warm-hearted tough cookie" Liz Kendall, a Labour leadership candidate, hitting out at the "vitriolic" abuse she has received during the campaign "I want to transform this country, to shake it up profoundly, so that the life chances of a child born today aren't determined by how much their parents earn, but by their potential, by their work ethic, and by their ambition" Kezia Dugdale, Labour's new leader in Scotland
But what made Haifa such a tough cookie in the first place?
The 'Dark Knight Rises' star clarified in a recent interview that he is misunderstood easily and said that his 23 year old 'American Hustle' co-star is in fact a tough cookie and if he had to say anything snarky about her, he would say it to her face, PVR Pictures reported.
Author Talk and Book Signing Dan Szczesny, author of "The Adventures of Buffalo and Tough Cookie,'' and his young hiking companion Janelle will present a slideshow and talk, 7 p.m.
"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.