sterner

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be made of sterner stuff

To be very strong, determined, or of uncompromising character, especially in comparison to others. Having to take care of both of us growing up, my brother George was made of sterner stuff as a kid than anyone else I knew. I can't believe you let us down at the last minute. I thought you were made of sterner stuff than that! Well, for starters, you can't take everything personally. You need to be made of sterner stuff if you want to survive in this industry.

See also: made, of, sterner, stuff

made of sterner stuff

Very strong, determined, or of uncompromising character, especially in comparison to others. Having to take care of both of us growing up, my brother George was made of sterner stuff as a kid than anyone else I knew. I can't believe you let us down at the last minute. I thought you were made of sterner stuff than that!

See also: made, of, sterner, stuff

be made of sterner stuff

(of a person) have a stronger character and be more able to overcome problems than others.

This expression comes from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar: ‘When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept; Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man’.

1998 Spectator Unlike the Americans, who are inclined to pull all their personnel out of a country at the first hint of trouble, the British foreign service is made of sterner stuff.

See also: made, of, sterner, stuff

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

be made of sterner ˈstuff

(of a person) have a stronger character and be more able to deal with difficulties and problems than other people: Did she cry? I thought she was made of sterner stuff.

See also: made, of, sterner, stuff

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

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References in periodicals archive ?

Although he will not divulge details, Sterner says that Genin Trudeau expects to expand further into electrics in the future.

Genin gets moving with batteries

Sterner hopes that the prestige of the Baryshnikov Center for Dance, to open in the spring of 2004, will spur a cultural "critical mass" in the area south of Times Square by attracting students, galleries, and restaurants.

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And the Swede admitted Chelsea will provide a far sterner test at Eastlands today.

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Everybody was asking everybody else:"What time is it coming?" but some hoarding painters outside the Ministry of Labour brought people back to the sterner realities.

A Reminder of Realities; BETTER FOOTBALL NEXT SEASON

Half of the Championship teams went out in the first round, with United helping contribute to that number as they knocked-out Ipswich Town, but the Toffees will prove a much sterner test.

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A puzzled Mr Davies stayed cool, saying: "As the website points out, I am a former TA man and am made of sterner stuff."

Website brings up the rear for AM

He was replaced by Lawrence Sterner, who had been general manager of American Ballet Theatre since 1993.

Pennsylvania Ballet

Capello has put on lighter training sessions this week but may give Carroll a sterner work-out today to determine if he is fully fit.

ANDY FACES FABIO'S TEST

"It will be a sterner test for the lads when we go up to Newcastle.

Football: Griffin: We can do it

Sterner tests lie ahead for the Tottenham man than this Israeli team.

Football: Robbo's safely home; UEFA EURO 2008 Austria-Switzerland

Saints have been drawn at home for the third successive round but, after racking up big scores against part-time National League opposition, will face a sterner task against the Wolves.

Rugby League: Saints home to Wolves in cup

They open with a tough home test against St Helens on Sunday, February 25 before facing an even sterner assignment at Leeds Rhinos a week later.

Academy try again

The Charlton manager believes both men are made of sterner stuff than to allow a bit of pressure to waver their focus.