tough cookie

tough cookie

A strong, determined person who is not easily intimidated, discouraged, or defeated. Our principal was a little lady, but she was one tough cookie! She had a difficult childhood, but she's a tough cookie. I know she'll be a success.
See also: cookie, tough

tough cookie

a person who is difficult to deal with. He's a tough cookie, but I can handle him. There was a tough cookie in here this morning who demanded to see the manager.
See also: cookie, tough

a tough cookie

or

one tough cookie

If someone is a tough cookie or one tough cookie, they are confident, brave and determined. A pushover is not how I'd describe her. Behind that sweet smile, there lies a tough cookie. He has a reputation as one tough cookie.
See also: cookie, tough

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

tough cookie

n. a tough person. There was a tough cookie in here this morning who demanded to see the manager.
See also: cookie, tough
References in periodicals archive ?
Sexuality is a tough cookie amongst the Muslim community and it's great that we've tackled it in this show.
Gay plot 'tough' Thinking outside the box with Nicola Methven & Mark Jefferies; SQUARE EYES
FOR someone who reportedly got upset because his bosses didn't buy him a birthday cake, Yaya Toure sure is a tough cookie.
New deal is icing on Toure's cake; Dunny's Hairdryer
Brad is a tough cookie and actually tougher than people say.
Guzan's a tough cookie - boo boys won't bother him
But what made Haifa such a tough cookie in the first place?
Haifa Wehbe asks ex-hubby: Did you leave me because of the Muslim Brotherhood?
The 'Dark Knight Rises' star clarified in a recent interview that he is misunderstood easily and said that his 23 year old 'American Hustle' co-star is in fact a tough cookie and if he had to say anything snarky about her, he would say it to her face, PVR Pictures reported.
Christian Bale denies calling Jennifer Lawrence "bitch"
Author Talk and Book Signing Dan Szczesny, author of "The Adventures of Buffalo and Tough Cookie,'' and his young hiking companion Janelle will present a slideshow and talk, 7 p.
Wednesday/28
The thing is," she says, "I look like a tough cookie, I sound like a tough cookie, and that's the problem, I'm sort of typecast.
Cracking a tough cookie
A tough cookie who, although he might not be the biggest or brawniest, possesses the steely will and compact but tough frame that sees him emerge unscathed from many a scrape with the big boys.
A tough cookie that's easy on the wallet
It is a surprise to find a finishing-position selling option at 41 given that he is courseproven - Gallacher was fourth at Doha in 2002 and eighth two years later - and a tough cookie in bad weather.
Tough cookie Gallacher is not afraid of desert winds; GOLF
She's a tough cookie, though, and this looks a good opportunity for her.
Johnston hopes Lady Jane Digby can tough it out in Oaks; racing
Scorpio, Bridge of Allan This is very good for you, as I see from your chart that you are quite a tough cookie and can sometimes hold yourself back from being happy.
Psychic Postbag; Write to Psychic Postbag, Sunday Mail or email frank@sundaymail.co.uk. Tell Frank your star sign and time, date and place of birth. Also give him three numbers between 1 and 78
Marriage" stars Hanna Schygulla as a tough cookie who marries a Wehrmacht officer during the waning days of World War II.
BRIEFLY
He's a tough cookie and will be desperate to play again as soon as possible.
BYRNE INJURY SCARE
I'll be a proper little scrapper, a tough cookie to beat," Taylor said.
Darts: King Phil's bid for power; DARTS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Blues boss Steve Bruce said: "It's terrible for him but he is a tough cookie and, at pounds 50,000, has to be one of the best value-for-money signings I've ever made.
Football: BIRMINGHAM skipper Damien Johnson
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