Hello and welcome to the English like a native podcast.
The listening resource for intermediate to advanced level English learners.
My name is Anna and today we are describing people who are tough.
Well, in particular we're using one phrase which is to be as tough as nails.
Now this is a similarly, a similarly is when you compare two things using as and as.
So something is as and then adjective as and then the thing you're comparing it to.
So you might say she is as cold as ice.
He is as cute as a button.
So as and as the phrase we're focusing on is to be as tough as nails.
Now is this complimentary or not?
What do you think to be as tough as nails?
Well, it depends what kind of nail we're talking about first of all.
We are not talking about the nails on the tips of our fingers.
The things that we have to regularly trim and shape sometimes paint.
Do you paint your nails?
I'm not one for painting my nails.
I don't see the point.
It's lovely when I paint my nails but they chip instantly because I use my hands a lot.
I'm always washing up and doing DIY and I'm too hands on around the house.
So painting my nails for me is a waste.