leather (redirected from leathering)

*tough as an old boot and *tough as old (shoe) leather 

1. [of meat] very tough. (*Also: as ~.) This meat is tough as an old boot. Bob couldn't eat the steak. It was as tough as an old boot.

2. [of someone] very strong willed. (*Also: as ~.) When Brian was lost in the mountains, his friends did not fear for him; they knew he was tough as leather. My English teacher was as tough as an old boot.

3. [of someone] not easily moved by feelings such as pity. (*Also: as ~.) She doesn't care. She's as tough as old shoe leather. He was born tough as an old boot and has only grown more rigid.

See also: boot, old, tough

hell-bent for leather

Inf. moving or behaving recklessly; riding a horse fast and recklessly. They took off after the horse thief, riding hell-bent for leather. Here comes the boss. She's not just angry; she's hell-bent for leather.

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be as tough as old boots  also be as tough as nails

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.'

See also: boot, old, tough

be as tough as old boots  (British, American & Australian) also be as tough as shoe leather (American)

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