leather

be as tough as old boots

1. if someone is as tough as old boots, they are very strong and not easily injured. 'Do you think Grandad will ever recover?' 'Of course, he's as tough as old boots.'

(British, American & Australian, American)

2. if food is as tough as old boots, it is difficult to cut or to eat. That steak I had was as tough as old boots.

See also: boot, old, tough

go hell for leather (informal)

to go somewhere or do something very quickly. He was going hell for leather to get to the supermarket before it closed.

See also: hell