Being strong can mean many things. Sometimes it means you can lift something heavy. Other times it means you don’t give up, even when things are tough. People don’t always just say “strong.” They use idioms, special phrases that help explain what strength looks or feels like.
Idioms like “tough as nails” or “stand your ground” make it easier to understand how someone shows strength. These phrases can describe someone’s body, heart, or even their mind. In this article, you’ll learn 30 idioms that people use when talking about being strong. They can help make your speaking and writing more clear and fun to read.
Idioms for Strong
1. As strong as an ox
Meaning: Very physically strong.
Samples: He’s as strong as an ox and can carry three backpacks. / She’s strong as an ox when lifting boxes.
To Put it Another Way: He has great strength. / She’s very powerful.
2. Built like a rock
Meaning: Very solid and strong.
Samples: That statue is built like a rock. / My uncle is built like a rock, he never gets tired.
To Put it Another Way: It won’t break. / He’s hard to wear out.
3. Tough as nails
Meaning: Very strong, brave, and not easily hurt.
Samples: Grandma is tough as nails. / That player is tough as nails on the field.
To Put it Another Way: She’s not easy to scare. / He’s very brave.
4. Rock solid
Meaning: Strong and dependable.
Samples: Her friendship is rock solid. / This table is rock solid it doesn’t shake.
To Put it Another Way: She can be trusted. / It stays firm.
5. Stand your ground
Meaning: Stay strong and not back down.
Samples: He stood his ground during the argument. / She stood her ground in the game.
To Put it Another Way: He didn’t give in. / She stayed firm.
6. Iron will
Meaning: Mental strength to keep going.
Samples: She had an iron will to finish the race. / He kept going with an iron will.
To Put it Another Way: She didn’t give up. / He stayed focused.
7. Backbone of steel
Meaning: Brave and strong inside.
Samples: He showed a backbone of steel during the test. / She faced the bully with a backbone of steel.
To Put it Another Way: He stayed calm and brave. / She didn’t back down.
8. Show your strength
Meaning: Prove how strong you are.
Samples: She showed her strength by helping carry the boxes. / He showed his strength in the race.
To Put it Another Way: She proved she was strong. / He showed what he could do.
9. Full of fight
Meaning: Always ready to try hard.
Samples: Even tired, she was full of fight. / That dog is small but full of fight.
To Put it Another Way: She didn’t stop. / It didn’t give up.
10. Hold firm
Meaning: Stay strong and not change your mind.
Samples: He held firm during the meeting. / She held firm on her idea.
To Put it Another Way: He didn’t give in. / She didn’t change her mind.
11. Strong to the core
Meaning: Very strong in every way.
Samples: She is strong to the core, inside and out. / That tree is strong to the core it never falls.
To Put it Another Way: She’s strong all over. / It doesn’t break.
12. Made of steel
Meaning: Very tough or brave.
Samples: That runner is made of steel. / She’s made of steel during hard times.
To Put it Another Way: She stays strong. / He can handle anything.
13. Bear strength
Meaning: Very powerful strength.
Samples: He lifted the box with bear strength. / She used bear strength to push the cart.
To Put it Another Way: He was super strong. / She had great power.
14. Muscle through
Meaning: Keep going even when it’s hard.
Samples: She muscled through the cold to finish the hike. / He muscled through the hard level in the game.
To Put it Another Way: She didn’t stop. / He kept trying.
15. Powerhouse
Meaning: Someone or something full of energy and strength.
Samples: She’s a powerhouse in gym class. / That robot is a powerhouse.
To Put it Another Way: She’s full of energy. / It’s very powerful.
16. Strong as steel
Meaning: Very tough or brave.
Samples: His will is strong as steel. / She’s strong as steel when it gets tough.
To Put it Another Way: He doesn’t break. / She stays brave.
17. Steel nerves
Meaning: Able to stay calm and strong under pressure.
Samples: She has steel nerves in emergencies. / He kept steel nerves during the speech.
To Put it Another Way: She stayed cool. / He didn’t get scared.
18. Keep your chin up
Meaning: Stay strong and brave.
Samples: Keep your chin up you’ll do great. / She kept her chin up even after losing.
To Put it Another Way: Stay brave. / Don’t give up.
19. Brave heart
Meaning: A strong and courageous person.
Samples: She’s a brave heart in every game. / He has a brave heart when helping others.
To Put it Another Way: She’s not afraid. / He’s full of courage.
20. Stand tall
Meaning: Show confidence and strength.
Samples: He stood tall after making a mistake. / She stood tall and finished the race.
To Put it Another Way: He didn’t let it get him down. / She stayed proud.
21. Steady as a rock
Meaning: Always calm and strong, even in tough times.
Samples: She’s steady as a rock during emergencies. / He stayed steady as a rock through the storm.
To Put it Another Way: She never panics. / He stays calm and firm.
22. Take it on the chin
Meaning: Handle problems without complaining.
Samples: He took it on the chin when he missed the shot. / She took it on the chin after losing the contest.
To Put it Another Way: He stayed strong. / She didn’t get upset.
23. Lift like a champ
Meaning: Lift something heavy with strength and skill.
Samples: She lifted her backpack like a champ. / He lifted the chair like a champ.
To Put it Another Way: She was strong and quick. / He didn’t struggle.
24. Unshakable spirit
Meaning: Always strong inside, no matter what.
Samples: Her unshakable spirit helped the team win. / He has an unshakable spirit, even when things are hard.
To Put it Another Way: She doesn’t give up. / He keeps going.
25. Show muscle
Meaning: Prove your strength or power.
Samples: He showed muscle in the arm-wrestling match. / She showed muscle by helping move the table.
To Put it Another Way: He used his strength. / She proved she was strong.
26. Can take a hit
Meaning: Can handle pain or problems.
Samples: He can take a hit and still get back up. / She can take a hit and keep going.
To Put it Another Way: He’s tough. / She doesn’t give up.
27. Made of strong stuff
Meaning: A very tough person.
Samples: That girl is made of strong stuff. / He’s made of strong stuff to keep smiling after all that.
To Put it Another Way: She’s brave. / He’s tough inside.
28. Never back down
Meaning: Always stand up for yourself.
Samples: He never backs down from a challenge. / She never backs down when things get hard.
To Put it Another Way: He keeps trying. / She stands up for herself.
29. Steel backbone
Meaning: Strong and unafraid, especially when it’s hard.
Samples: She showed a steel backbone in the debate. / He has a steel backbone when facing problems.
To Put it Another Way: She stayed firm. / He didn’t give up.
30. Rise to the challenge
Meaning: Show your best when things are tough.
Samples: He rose to the challenge during the game. / She rose to the challenge and finished the project.
To Put it Another Way: He stepped up. / She did her best.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Strong
Activity: “Field Day Strength”
It was Field Day at Maple Elementary, and the fifth graders were ready to compete. In the first event, a tug-of-war, Zoe stood at the front of the line. “Let’s stand our ground!” she shouted. The rope pulled hard, but they didn’t move an inch.
Next came the obstacle course. Leo, always calm, stayed steady as a rock while climbing the rope wall. Mia, who had fallen behind, began to muscle through the last part. Her friends cheered her on, and she didn’t stop until she reached the end.
Later, during the relay race, Jackson slipped but got up quickly. “That’s what I call a brave heart,” said Coach Peters. Even though he scraped his knee, he took it on the chin and finished strong.
During the awards, the teacher said, “This class really knows how to rise to the challenge.” Everyone smiled, especially Zoe, who always had an unshakable spirit and believed her team could win. As they walked back to class, Leo whispered, “You guys are all made of strong stuff.”
Your Task:
Can you find and list all 8 idioms for strong use in the story?
Answer Key
- Stand our ground
- Steady as a rock
- Muscle through
- Brave heart
- Took it on the chin
- Rise to the challenge
- Unshakable spirit
- Made of strong stuff
Conclusion
Being strong isn’t just about big muscles. It can mean being brave, never giving up, or helping others even when it’s hard. Idioms like “made of strong stuff” or “stand your ground” help explain what strength really looks like.
Learning and using these idioms can make your words more exciting and meaningful. Try them in your writing or when talking about someone who’s done something tough. They show that strength comes in many forms, both inside and out.
