proverb · Words worth keeping
As hard as nails.
As hard as nails.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The phrase compares a person with hard nails. In the supplied reading, it describes toughness or an unyielding attitude.
What the words are saying
The material image can concern endurance or harshness depending on context. A useful explanation does not automatically praise aggression or infer a person’s physical ability from the label. The phrase is a description, not evidence about every situation the person faces.
Everyday example
A reader asks whether a character’s toughness means persistence or disregard for others in the scene.
When to use it
Use it to explain toughness with the relevant sense identified.
What it does not mean
No physical capacity, diagnosis or justification of harsh conduct is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 730; PDF page 105
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.