tough customer

tough customer

A strong, determined person who is not easily intimidated, discouraged, or defeated. Our principal was a rather petite lady, but she was one tough customer! She had a difficult childhood, but it made her into a tough customer later in life. I wouldn't mess with that guy, he's a pretty tough customer.
See also: customer, tough
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

tough customer someone

who is difficult to deal with. Some of those bikers are really tough customers. Walt is a tough customer. Just keep away from him.
See also: customer, tough
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

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 customer

n. someone who is difficult to deal with. Bruno is a tough customer. Just keep away from him.
See also: customer, tough
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • a tough cookie
  • a tough customer/cookie
  • tough cookie
  • slip of a (something)
  • a slip of a
  • a slip of a boy, girl, etc.
  • be in low spirits
  • lady of pleasure
  • incy-wincy
  • boss lady
References in classic literature
'And you'd find your father rather a tough customer in argeyment, Joe, if anybody was to try and tackle him,' said Parkes.
Barnaby Rudge A Tale Of The Riots Of Eighty
Thurman was a tough customer, and Pacquiao had likened the 30-year-old to the heavy-handed Antonio Margarito.
Pacquiao not keen on calls by Thurman, Horn
Afterwards, the Wizard said: "Hendo is one tough customer.
Highlander hopes dashed by Wizard
He possesses plenty of speed, is a tough customer and will take catching, despite his burden of 9-13.
The Piano holds key
THERE'S no time to rest on election day on Monday for defending champion San Miguel Beer and its tough customer Magnolia, which are all tied up at 3-3 in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup Finals.
What election day?
Joe Lewis challenged him but it was Mikey Devlin who at times found Sadiq a tough customer to deal with.
MIKEY DEVLIN v UMAR SADIQ M; Gavin Berry gBraotutlneds
Robredo is 35 and ranked at 271 after injury problems in recent years, but remains a tough customer on clay.
Evans sick as Robredo too hot to handle; TENNIS
Tubli Club presented the fifth show titled "Tough Customer" presented by director Jassim Mohammed on the day before yesterday.
Khalid bin Hamad's Theatre Award festival continues
Tim Palin, of winning owners Middleham Park Racing, said: "What a tough customer. He's got talent, make no mistake.
Dee-light for Viren's Army at Chester
What will tough customer Trevor think if he finds out what his son's been up to?
HOLLYOAKS - C4
"But he is a tough customer, he'll generally stay out on you but come across when it suits him.
KEEP TALKING JOE, WE'LL WALK
Because they fight with a lot of courage and are tough customer," he said.
Indian Thapa TKO Nadir in Asian Games boxing event to enter quarter
The new capabilities will help solve tough customer problems across a variety of applications, including accurate crop mapping; efficient site selection, exploration and environmental monitoring for the energy industry; and mineral identification and chemical measurements to support mining.
First images taken with Exelis-built integrated super-spectral imaging system
"Marcos Maidana is a tough customer and he gave me a fight that had me work for the victory," Mayweather said in a statement.
Mayweather-Maidana rematch set
Harbouring prime ministerial ambitions herself, she has always been a tough customer.
Wily Jayalalithaa keeps Cong and BJP guessing