thick skin

The ability to ignore verbal attacks or criticism from others. If you're going to pursue a career in politics, you're going to have to develop a thick skin and not let the criticism of your detractors bother you.

a thick skin

COMMON If someone has a thick skin, they are not easily upset or offended by criticism. To survive in politics, you need a thick skin. As a salesperson, you have to have a thick skin to deal with all the rejection. Note: You can also describe someone as being thick-skinned. She's so thick-skinned, she won't even have noticed the insult.

(have) a thick/thin ˈskin

(informal) (be) not affected/affected by criticism or unkind remarks: A traffic warden needs a thick skin to take so much abuse from motorists. ♢ He’s got rather a thin skin for a politician. He’ll have to learn to take the odd unkind remark. ▶ ˌthick-ˈskinned, ˌthin-ˈskinned adj.