Idioms

be made of sterner stuff

be made of sterner stuff

To be very strong, determined, or of uncompromising character, especially in comparison to others. Having to take care of both of us growing up, my brother George was made of sterner stuff as a kid than anyone else I knew. I can't believe you let us down at the last minute. I thought you were made of sterner stuff than that! Well, for starters, you can't take everything personally. You need to be made of sterner stuff if you want to survive in this industry.
See also: made, of, sterner, stuff
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

be made of sterner stuff

(of a person) have a stronger character and be more able to overcome problems than others.
This expression comes from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar: ‘When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept; Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man’.
1998 Spectator Unlike the Americans, who are inclined to pull all their personnel out of a country at the first hint of trouble, the British foreign service is made of sterner stuff.
See also: made, of, sterner, stuff
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

be made of sterner ˈstuff

(of a person) have a stronger character and be more able to deal with difficulties and problems than other people: Did she cry? I thought she was made of sterner stuff.
See also: made, of, sterner, stuff
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in periodicals archive
Our voters need our MPs to be made of sterner stuff" - Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA union.
QUOTES OF THE DAY
A justice secretary should be made of sterner stuff, one who is never swayed by partisan provocation, because when he does, he betrays his oath and renders his very own self unfit for the job,' Poe added.
Poe to Aguirre: You're Justice Secretary, not 'perya barker'
Frenchwoman Cornet caused a sensation on Saturday when she sent five-time champion and pre-tournament favourite Williams packing but Bouchard proved to be made of sterner stuff as she edged to a 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 victory.
Tennis: Bouchard first Canadian to enter Wimbledon quarters
Joan may be made of sterner stuff than later generations but the service she led this morning was anything but stern and austere.
Worth all the effort
Doherty may be made of sterner stuff but Williams is unlikely to lose his nerve and composure in the same way as Hunter.
Williams on course for world victory
Exeter had one of the worst away records in Division Three last term, but the Grecians showed they could be made of sterner stuff this time, and defended long and hard after Steve Swales had levelled for Town with a deflected shot on 22 minutes.
FOOTBALL: GRECIANS HANG ON; HALIFAX 1 EXETER 1
'A few months ago we would have dropped points against Hemel, but we seem to be made of sterner stuff now.'
Martyrs can nail down a home tie
Doherty may be made of sterner stuff and he showed that mettle again when,after trailing 10-2 at the mid session interval,he managed to win three of the remaining four frames.
Snooker: Williams on course
The people of the Glens indeed must be made of sterner stuff.
EAMONN HOLMES' COLUMN: MEMORIES TO SAVOUR AT MIDGET GLENS
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