Sometimes life can be tough. You may be dealing with a hard test, standing up for a friend, or just trying your best every day. When people talk about being strong, they don’t always just say “strong.” They often use special phrases called idioms to describe it. These idioms help show what strength really feels like.
For example, someone might say you’re “as strong as an ox” or that you “have a backbone of steel.” These expressions help others understand the kind of strength you have, whether it’s lifting something heavy or staying calm when things go wrong. In this article, we’ll learn 30 idioms that people use when talking about strength. These phrases can make your talking and writing more interesting and easy to understand.
Idioms for Strength
1. As strong as an ox
Meaning: Very physically strong.
Samples: He’s as strong as an ox and can carry all the bags. / She lifted the box like she was as strong as an ox.
To Put it Another Way: He’s very powerful. / She has lots of muscle.
2. Built like a tank
Meaning: Big and tough like a strong machine.
Samples: That football player is built like a tank. / The bike was built like a tank, it didn’t break!
To Put it Another Way: He’s solid and strong. / It’s made very strong.
3. Muscle through
Meaning: To keep going even when it’s hard.
Samples: She muscled through the hard math homework. / He muscled through the cold to finish the race.
To Put it Another Way: She didn’t give up. / He kept going.
4. A tower of strength
Meaning: A strong and supportive person.
Samples: My mom is a tower of strength when I’m feeling sad. / He was a tower of strength during the tough game.
To Put it Another Way: She helps others stay strong. / He stands firm for everyone.
5. Strong stomach
Meaning: Able to handle gross or scary things.
Samples: She has a strong stomach and didn’t get sick on the ride. / He needed a strong stomach to watch the doctor show.
To Put it Another Way: She wasn’t bothered. / He could handle it.
6. Strength of will
Meaning: Mental strength to keep going.
Samples: With strength of will, she finished the long book. / He used his strength of will to wake up early every day.
To Put it Another Way: She didn’t give up. / He kept trying.
7. Tough as nails
Meaning: Very strong and not easily hurt.
Samples: That firefighter is tough as nails. / My grandma is tough as nails, nothing scares her.
To Put it Another Way: He’s super strong. / She’s very brave.
8. Backbone of steel
Meaning: Brave and never gives in.
Samples: He showed a backbone of steel during the big test. / She stood up to the bully with a backbone of steel.
To Put it Another Way: He stayed strong. / She didn’t back down.
9. Weather the storm
Meaning: Stay strong during a hard time.
Samples: We had to weather the storm when the power went out. / He weathered the storm during his hard year.
To Put it Another Way: We stayed calm. / He didn’t fall apart.
10. Hold your ground
Meaning: Stay firm and do not give up.
Samples: She held her ground when others disagreed. / He held his ground during the tug-of-war game.
To Put it Another Way: She stood strong. / He didn’t move.
11. Dig deep
Meaning: Find strength inside when things are hard.
Samples: He had to dig deep to finish the race. / She dug deep to speak in front of the class.
To Put it Another Way: He used all his strength. / She found courage inside.
12. Power through
Meaning: Keep going with energy, even when tired.
Samples: We powered through the homework before dinner. / She powered through the long day at camp.
To Put it Another Way: We kept going strong. / She didn’t slow down.
13. Made of tough stuff
Meaning: A strong and brave person.
Samples: My sister is made of tough stuff; she never quits. / That climber is made of tough stuff.
To Put it Another Way: She’s very brave. / He’s not easy to stop.
14. Take it on the chin
Meaning: Accept something hard without complaining.
Samples: He took it on the chin when he lost the game. / She took it on the chin after the bad grade.
To Put it Another Way: He stayed calm. / She didn’t make a fuss.
15. Iron will
Meaning: Very strong mind and never gives up.
Samples: He had an iron will during the spelling test. / She showed iron will when learning to swim.
To Put it Another Way: He didn’t quit. / She stayed focused.
16. Stand tall
Meaning: Stay proud and strong, even when it’s hard.
Samples: He stood tall after losing the race. / She stood tall when she was teased.
To Put it Another Way: He didn’t let it get to him. / She stayed proud.
17. Face the music
Meaning: Be brave when there’s trouble.
Samples: He faced the music after breaking the vase. / She faced the music and told the truth.
To Put it Another Way: He was honest. / She didn’t hide.
18. Stay the course
Meaning: Keep going even when it’s hard.
Samples: We stayed the course and finished our play. / He stayed the course through the hard puzzle.
To Put it Another Way: We didn’t stop. / He kept working.
19. Rock-solid
Meaning: Very strong or dependable.
Samples: Her support was rock-solid. / The building is rock-solid during storms.
To Put it Another Way: She can be trusted. / It won’t fall.
20. Fire in the belly
Meaning: A strong desire to succeed.
Samples: He has fire in his belly to win. / She had fire in her belly during the race.
To Put it Another Way: He’s full of energy. / She’s eager to succeed.
21. Stand your ground
Meaning: Stay strong and not back down.
Samples: He stood his ground when asked to cheat. / She stood her ground during the debate.
To Put it Another Way: He didn’t give in. / She stayed firm.
22. Iron fist
Meaning: Strong control or leadership.
Samples: The coach ruled with an iron fist during practice. / She ran the club with an iron fist.
To Put it Another Way: He was very strict. / She kept everything under control.
23. Full of fight
Meaning: Always ready to keep trying.
Samples: He’s full of fight even after losing. / She’s full of fight when things get tough.
To Put it Another Way: He doesn’t give up. / She keeps pushing.
24. Shoulder the burden
Meaning: Carry a big responsibility.
Samples: She shouldered the burden of helping her team. / He shouldered the burden when the group needed help.
To Put it Another Way: She took on the hard work. / He helped carry the load.
25. Solid as a rock
Meaning: Very dependable and steady.
Samples: My dad is solid as a rock when I need help. / That friend is solid as a rock during hard times.
To Put it Another Way: He’s always there. / She never breaks under pressure.
26. Keep a stiff upper lip
Meaning: Stay brave and calm.
Samples: He kept a stiff upper lip during the scary story. / She kept a stiff upper lip while waiting for her turn.
To Put it Another Way: He didn’t show fear. / She stayed strong.
27. Show true colors
Meaning: Show real strength or character.
Samples: She showed her true colors when helping a friend. / He showed his true colors by being brave.
To Put it Another Way: Her real strength came out. / He proved who he really is.
28. Bite the bullet
Meaning: Do something hard or unpleasant with courage.
Samples: He bit the bullet and got the shot. / She bit the bullet and told the truth.
To Put it Another Way: He faced it bravely. / She did the right thing.
29. Built to last
Meaning: Strong and will not break easily.
Samples: That backpack is built to last. / Their friendship is built to last.
To Put it Another Way: It won’t fall apart. / It’s very strong.
30. Unshakable spirit
Meaning: Never gives up no matter what.
Samples: She has an unshakable spirit and keeps trying. / He’s got an unshakable spirit on the field.
To Put it Another Way: She keeps going. / He never loses heart.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Strength
Activity: “The Big Hike”
Last weekend, Ms. Carter took her fifth-grade class on a nature hike. It was steep, rocky, and longer than they expected. At the start, Marcus had to dig deep just to keep moving. Emma stayed right behind him her unshakable spirit kept the group going.
When a strong wind started, Liam held his jacket tight and said, “Let’s weather the storm.” Mia, who was usually quiet, surprised everyone. She stood her ground and led the way when others wanted to turn back.
Later, when they reached the top, Ethan was tired but proud. “We really stayed the course,” he said. Ms. Carter smiled and added, “You all showed your true colors today.”
On the way down, Zoe fell but didn’t cry. She took it on the chin and got up right away. And when they returned to the school bus, everyone agreed that the hike had shown just how tough as nails they could be.
Your Task:
Can you list all 8 idioms for strength found in the story?
Answer Key
- Dig deep
- Unshakable spirit
- Weather the storm
- Stood her ground
- Stayed the course
- Showed your true colors
- Took it on the chin
- Tough as nails
Conclusion
Being strong doesn’t always mean lifting heavy things. Sometimes it means not giving up, being brave, or helping others. Idioms like “stand tall” or “muscle through” help show what real strength looks like in everyday life.
When you learn and use these idioms, your talking and writing become more powerful and clear. So next time you do something brave or tough, try using one of these expressions, it’ll help others understand just how strong you really are.
