When we talk about being strong, we don’t just mean lifting heavy things. Sometimes we need words that show inner strength, courage, and the power to keep going. That’s where idioms come in. Idioms are special phrases that help us express big ideas in simple ways. They make our words more colorful and help others understand just how strong someone really is.
This article will explore idioms that show different types of strength. These phrases can help you talk about brave people, tough situations, and the power we all have inside us. You’ll also find a fun activity to practice using these idioms in real conversations.
Idioms for Strength
1. Strong as an ox
Meaning: Very physically strong.
Sentence Example: My dad is strong as an ox – he can carry all the groceries in one trip. / The football player was strong as an ox and could tackle anyone.
Other Ways to Say: Tough as nails / Built like a tank
2. Tough as nails
Meaning: Very strong and not easily hurt or scared.
Sentence Example: My grandma is tough as nails – she never gives up. / That boxer is tough as nails in the ring.
Other Ways to Say: Hard as steel / Strong as iron
3. Nerves of steel
Meaning: Stay calm when things get scary or hard.
Sentence Example: The pilot had nerves of steel during the storm. / She showed nerves of steel during her big speech.
Other Ways to Say: Ice in their veins / Cool under pressure
4. Built like a tank
Meaning: Very strong and solid body.
Sentence Example: The wrestler was built like a tank and never got knocked down. / My uncle is built like a tank from working on the farm.
Other Ways to Say: Strong as a bull / Solid as a rock
5. Iron will
Meaning: Very strong determination that won’t break.
Sentence Example: She had an iron will to finish school even when it was hard. / His iron will helped him climb the mountain.
Other Ways to Say: Strong determination / Unbreakable spirit
6. Heart of a lion
Meaning: Very brave and courageous.
Sentence Example: The firefighter had the heart of a lion when she saved the cat. / My little sister has the heart of a lion – she’s not afraid of anything.
Other Ways to Say: Brave as a lion / Fearless heart
7. Stand firm
Meaning: Stay strong and not change your mind.
Sentence Example: I will stand firm on keeping my promise to help. / She stood firm when the bullies tried to scare her.
Other Ways to Say: Hold your ground / Stick to your guns
8. Backbone of steel
Meaning: Very strong character that doesn’t bend.
Sentence Example: My teacher has a backbone of steel – she always does what’s right. / He showed a backbone of steel when he stood up to the mean kids.
Other Ways to Say: Strong spine / Unshakeable character
9. Rock solid
Meaning: Very reliable and strong.
Sentence Example: My best friend is rock solid – I can always count on her. / The team’s defense was rock solid all season.
Other Ways to Say: Steady as a rock / Solid as stone
10. Power through
Meaning: Keep going even when things are hard.
Sentence Example: I had to power through my homework even though I was tired. / She powered through the race even with a hurt ankle.
Other Ways to Say: Push through / Keep going
11. Strong-willed
Meaning: Having a strong mind that doesn’t give up easily.
Sentence Example: My mom is strong-willed and always finishes what she starts. / The strong-willed student studied extra hard for the test.
Other Ways to Say: Determined / Stubborn in a good way
12. Grit your teeth
Meaning: Be brave and strong during hard times.
Sentence Example: I had to grit my teeth and get through the scary movie. / She gritted her teeth and finished the difficult math problem.
Other Ways to Say: Bear down / Tough it out
13. Steel yourself
Meaning: Get ready to be strong for something hard.
Sentence Example: I had to steel myself before giving my presentation. / He steeled himself for the big game.
Other Ways to Say: Brace yourself / Get ready
14. Hold your own
Meaning: Be strong enough to handle a situation.
Sentence Example: The new player held her own against the older kids. / I can hold my own in a spelling bee.
Other Ways to Say: Stand your ground / Keep up
15. Dig deep
Meaning: Find strength inside yourself when you need it most.
Sentence Example: I had to dig deep to finish the long run. / She dug deep to find courage for her solo performance.
Other Ways to Say: Find inner strength / Reach inside
16. Bite the bullet
Meaning: Do something hard or scary with strength.
Sentence Example: I had to bite the bullet and apologize for my mistake. / She bit the bullet and got her shot at the doctor’s office.
Other Ways to Say: Face the music / Take it on
17. Weather the storm
Meaning: Stay strong during hard times.
Sentence Example: Our family weathered the storm when Dad lost his job. / The team weathered the storm of losing three games in a row.
Other Ways to Say: Ride it out / Get through it
18. Bear the load
Meaning: Handle heavy responsibility with strength.
Sentence Example: My older brother had to bear the load when Mom was sick. / She bears the load of taking care of her little siblings.
Other Ways to Say: Carry the weight / Handle the pressure
19. Rise to the occasion
Meaning: Show strength when it’s needed most.
Sentence Example: The substitute teacher rose to the occasion and kept the class in line. / He rose to the occasion and scored the winning goal.
Other Ways to Say: Step up / Meet the challenge
20. Stand tall
Meaning: Show confidence and strength.
Sentence Example: Even after losing the game, our team stood tall. / She stood tall when giving her speech to the whole school.
Other Ways to Say: Hold your head high / Show pride
21. Flex your muscles
Meaning: Show your strength or power.
Sentence Example: The older kids liked to flex their muscles on the playground. / She flexed her muscles by solving the hardest math problem.
Other Ways to Say: Show your strength / Display your power
22. Take it on the chin
Meaning: Handle bad news or problems with strength.
Sentence Example: He took it on the chin when he didn’t make the team. / She took the criticism on the chin and tried to do better.
Other Ways to Say: Handle it well / Take it like a champ
23. Keep your chin up
Meaning: Stay strong and hopeful during hard times.
Sentence Example: Keep your chin up – things will get better soon. / She kept her chin up even after failing the test.
Other Ways to Say: Stay positive / Don’t give up
24. Stick to your guns
Meaning: Stay strong in what you believe.
Sentence Example: I stuck to my guns and didn’t cheat on the test. / She stuck to her guns about not eating meat.
Other Ways to Say: Stand firm / Hold your position
25. Go the distance
Meaning: Stay strong until the very end.
Sentence Example: The marathon runner went the distance and finished the race. / I went the distance and read the whole thick book.
Other Ways to Say: See it through / Finish strong
26. Shoulder the burden
Meaning: Take on hard responsibility with strength.
Sentence Example: My dad shouldered the burden of working two jobs. / She shouldered the burden of organizing the school dance.
Other Ways to Say: Take on the load / Handle the responsibility
27. Pull yourself together
Meaning: Be strong and get control of yourself.
Sentence Example: I had to pull myself together after crying about my lost pet. / She pulled herself together before the important meeting.
Other Ways to Say: Get it together / Compose yourself
28. Buckle down
Meaning: Work hard with strength and focus.
Sentence Example: I need to buckle down and study for my final exams. / The whole class buckled down to finish the group project.
Other Ways to Say: Get serious / Focus hard
29. Hang tough
Meaning: Stay strong during difficult times.
Sentence Example: Hang tough – the soccer season isn’t over yet. / She hung tough through her parents’ divorce.
Other Ways to Say: Stay strong / Don’t quit
30. Muscle through
Meaning: Use strength to get through something hard.
Sentence Example: I had to muscle through the heavy traffic to get to school on time. / She muscled through her fear of heights to climb the rope.
Other Ways to Say: Push through / Force your way
31. Stand your ground
Meaning: Be strong and not back down.
Sentence Example: I stood my ground when the bigger kids tried to take my lunch. / She stood her ground and didn’t let them change her mind.
Other Ways to Say: Hold your position / Don’t budge
32. Roll with the punches
Meaning: Stay strong when bad things happen.
Sentence Example: When it rained on our picnic, we rolled with the punches and ate inside. / He rolled with the punches when his bike got a flat tire.
Other Ways to Say: Go with the flow / Handle what comes
33. Keep your head above water
Meaning: Stay strong enough to handle your problems.
Sentence Example: With all my homework and chores, I’m just trying to keep my head above water. / She kept her head above water during her busy week.
Other Ways to Say: Stay afloat / Manage okay
34. Tough it out
Meaning: Be strong and endure something hard.
Sentence Example: I had to tough it out through my broken arm healing. / She toughed it out during the long, boring meeting.
Other Ways to Say: Stick with it / Endure it
35. Hold the fort
Meaning: Stay strong and take care of things.
Sentence Example: I held the fort while Mom went to the store. / She held the fort at the school booth during the fair.
Other Ways to Say: Keep things going / Stay in charge
36. Keep a stiff upper lip
Meaning: Stay strong and not show weakness.
Sentence Example: He kept a stiff upper lip when his dog ran away. / She kept a stiff upper lip during her first day at a new school.
Other Ways to Say: Stay brave / Don’t show fear
37. Stand like a rock
Meaning: Be very strong and not move or change.
Sentence Example: The goalie stood like a rock and blocked every shot. / My grandpa stood like a rock in his beliefs about honesty.
Other Ways to Say: Stand firm / Be unmovable
38. Gird your loins
Meaning: Get ready to be strong for something hard.
Sentence Example: Gird your loins – this math test is going to be tough. / She girded her loins before asking her parents for permission.
Other Ways to Say: Prepare yourself / Get ready
39. Bear up under
Meaning: Stay strong when carrying heavy burdens.
Sentence Example: She bore up under the stress of moving to a new town. / He bore up under the pressure of being team captain.
Other Ways to Say: Handle the load / Stay strong under pressure
40. Stay the course
Meaning: Keep being strong and don’t give up on your path.
Sentence Example: I will stay the course and keep practicing piano every day. / She stayed the course even when her friends quit the club.
Other Ways to Say: Keep going / Stick with the plan
Exercise to Practice
- My big brother is _______ – he can lift me up with one arm.
- When I felt scared during the thunderstorm, I had to _______ and be brave.
- The teacher told us to _______ and study hard for the final test.
- She has _______ and never gives up on her dreams.
- I had to _______ when the dentist fixed my tooth.
- Our team captain showed _______ during the championship game.
- When the power went out, Dad helped us _______ until it came back on.
- My mom told me to _______ when I was sad about losing the contest.
- The new student had to _______ when the older kids teased her.
- I need to _______ through this long book report.
- She showed _______ when she stood up to the class bully.
- Our coach said we need to _______ if we want to win the tournament.
- Even when he got hurt, the soccer player _______ and finished the game.
- I have to _______ and not change my mind about doing the right thing.
- When things got hard at home, our family learned to _______.
Answer Key
- strong as an ox
- steel myself
- buckle down
- an iron will
- grit my teeth
- nerves of steel
- weather the storm
- keep your chin up
- stand her ground
- power
- the heart of a lion
- go the distance
- toughed it out
- stick to my guns
- roll with the punches
Conclusion
Using idioms about strength helps us talk about the brave and powerful people in our lives. These phrases show that strength comes in many forms – from physical power to inner courage. Whether it’s about a friend who never gives up or a family member who helps during hard times, these idioms make our words more meaningful.
Try using some of these strength idioms when you talk about the strong people you know. A simple “she has nerves of steel” or “he’s tough as nails” can help others understand just how special someone really is. Strong words can help us celebrate strong people.