# sharp cookie

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/sharp-cookie
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

One who is intelligent, bright, or sharp; especially, one who can identify attempts to deceive or mislead.

## Examples

- She's a sharp cookie and saw through his lies.
- The lawyer was a sharp cookie who quickly noticed the contradiction in the witness's statement.
- A sharp cookie who had survived three corporate takeovers, she immediately recognized the veiled threat beneath his polite words.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.