← Back to collection
Region: General | Usage example: Traveling through the rough terrain took a cast-iron stomach.

Cast-iron stomach

Meaning

Ability to eat or endure unpleasant things without distress.

Usage

Used when praising resilience to discomfort.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Cast iron used to describe toughness.

Used since the 19th century in travel and food writing.

Related Idioms

Your eyes are bigger than your stomach

Take more than you can handle

Go with the flow

Accept things as they happen without resistance.

Bite the bullet

Accept an unpleasant task or situation that cannot be avoided.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.