made of sterner stuff
strong and determined (especially more so than someone else, to whom one is being compared).
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“She is made of sterner stuff than her brother.”
“Everyone expected him to quit after the failure, but he is made of sterner stuff and kept working.”
“Though the critics predicted the young leader would collapse under the pressure, she proved she was made of sterner stuff and successfully navigated the crisis.”
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absence makes the heart grow fonder
One feels more love or affection for those one loves when parted from them.
- 02
cannot make it
Cannot reach satisfactory or expected standards or do something competently; describes someone in a hopeless situation.
- 03
doctors make the worst patients
It is difficult to advise people on subjects that they are experts on.
- 04
enough to make a cat laugh
Very outlandish or outrageous.
- 05
enough to make the angels weep
Something so distressing that it causes one to lose hope and faith.
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fine feathers make fine birds
Something that appears beautiful or good is by definition beautiful or good.
- 07
funny stuff
Irregular, often illegal, activities.
- 08
have it made
To have accomplished all there is to do; to have no further work or difficulty.
Last updated August 10, 2026