Cast-iron stomach

Meaning

Ability to eat or endure unpleasant things without distress.

Usage

Used when praising resilience to discomfort.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Cast iron used to describe toughness.

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