Strong & Confident: English Vocabulary List

used to refer to someone who has become more comfortable or confident in conversing with people

"Volunteering helped her come out of her shell."

"The shy child finally came out of her shell and started making friends at school."

to be determined or courageous enough to do something dangerous or risky

"I do not have the stomach for horror movies."

"I do not have the stomach for horror movies because they give me nightmares for several nights afterwards."

to have the necessary will, courage, etc. to get something done

"I don't have heart."

"She didn't have the heart to confront her boss about the unfair workload, despite feeling it was wrong."

to have the necessary conviction or be brave enough to get something done

"I did not have the guts to tell him the truth."

"He did not have the guts to tell his boss that he was quitting the job."

an individual who is willing and ready to work

"She is a willing horse and works hard."

"The young intern is a willing horse who volunteers for every extra task without ever complaining about the extra work."

an energetic and eager individual who is willing to work hard

"The eager beaver finishes his work early."

"The eager beaver finished the assignment a week early and asked for more work."

used to refer to a person with a very high level of enthusiasm

"He is keen as mustard."

"Our new team leader is as keen as mustard and has already organized three exciting projects for the upcoming quarter."

a tough person who is not easily affected by emotions

"He is hard as nails."

"The coach is as tough as nails and never shows any sympathy for injured players."

to be competent enough to handle a variety of responsibilities or demanding tasks

"She has broad shoulders."

"You need to have broad shoulders if you want to succeed in this high-pressure leadership role every day."

to be able to take care of oneself without needing any assistance from others

"It is time you stood on your own two feet."

"After graduating from university he learned to stand on his own two feet without any help."

someone who likes being alone and does things without asking for help

"The lone wolf avoids crowds."

"The lone wolf avoids crowds and prefers to work alone rather than in a team."

a person who lives life independently and not according to the norms or customs of the society

"The free spirit traveled without a plan."

"The free spirit traveled without a plan and let her intuition guide her to interesting places."

one's ability to remain calm in the face of danger or difficulties

"The pilot had nerves of steel."

"The surgeon has nerves of steel and can perform delicate operations without his hands shaking at all."

a male individual who is exceptional or noteworthy when compared with other men

"He is a man among men."

"His leadership during the crisis proved he was a man among men, inspiring everyone around him."

used to describe someone who is extremely calm and tolerant

"He is patient as Job."

"My father is as patient as Job and never loses his temper even when the children make a huge mess."

used to describe someone who is ready and willing to try their best in order to get something done

"The athlete is lean and mean."

"The small start up company is lean and mean with no unnecessary staff or expensive offices."

used to describe a person who is annoyingly confident

"He is bold as brass."

"The salesman was as bold as brass and asked the CEO for a raise during his very first week at work."

used to describe someone who is not worried at all in challenging or stressful situations

"Calm as a cucumber."

"Don't worry, I was only pulling your leg when I said you failed the test."

used to describe a person who manages to stay calm in the most intense situations

"She is calm as toad."

"Even during the emergency, the pilot stayed as calm as a toad in the sun and guided everyone to safety."

(of a person) not easily broken, weakened, or defeated

"She is tough as boots."

"My grandmother is as tough as old boots and still walks five miles every day."

used to describe someone who refuses to change their opinion or chosen course of action

"He is stubborn as a mule."

"My grandfather is as stubborn as a mule and refuses to listen to anyone's advice."

a person who is strong, resilient, and determined, often in the face of challenging circumstances

"The old lady is a tough cookie who survived the war."

"The elderly woman was a tough cookie who survived three strokes and still lived independently."