1. tough cookie
Jack is a real tough cookie.
Yes, you're a tough cookie. But we have ways of making you talk. (Chew him out to make him crumble. Then milk him for every last drop of information)
Some of the women who come here are tough cookies
English word "twarda sztuka"(tough cookie) occurs in sets:
ostatni kolos2. as hard as nails
You can’t upset Anna, she’s as hard as nails.
My supervisor is very kind to me but my boss is as hard as nails.
3. high flyer
4. a hard case
5. Made of tough stuff