tough as teak
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Meaning · English
Very tough.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
We could not find that she had sustained any material damage, for thanks to the Hindostane builder, the old Brougham is as tough as teak and nails can make her.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “tough as teak” mean?
Very tough.
Is “tough as teak” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.