as stubborn as an anvil
- idiom
- Informal
:
tan terco como un yunque
- No amount of reasoning could change her mind; she was as stubborn as an anvil.
Examples
-
My brother is as stubborn as an anvil when it comes to admitting he's wrong.
-
Don't try to change her mind; she's as stubborn as an anvil!
-
Despite everyone's advice, he remained as stubborn as an anvil throughout the negotiations.
-
He's as stubborn as an anvil when it comes to his beliefs.
-
He is as stubborn as an anvil in refusing to change his plans, no matter the circumstances.
-
My sister can be as stubborn as an anvil when she believes her opinion is right, even against all evidence.
-
During the meeting, she proved to be as stubborn as an anvil, unwilling to compromise on her demands.
Synonyms
217
2.9
Not willing to change your mind even when others try to persuade you
72
6.8
Not willing to change one's mind even when others disagree
43
4.4
Continuing with an action despite problems or opposition
24
6.8
Not willing to change opinions or demands, even if it causes problems
22
7.9
Very unwilling to accept change or new ideas
18
4.1
Someone who wants to do things their own way and refuses advice
16
7.5
Refusing to change your opinion or behavior even when others try to persuade you
11
4.7
Not willing to change or accept other ideas
11
8.1
Not willing to follow rules or accept control
10
6.5
Very firm in decisions and not willing to change or give up
9
8.6
Not able to be calmed and showing firm, unchanging anger or opposition
9
7.8
Refusing to change your mind or actions even when you are wrong
8
8.1
Not willing to change views or agree with others
6
6.7
Refusing to change your mind even when shown evidence
3
8.8
A person who refuses to change their opinion or behaviour even when others try to persuade them
3
7.4
Refusing to change your mind even when it is not a good idea
1
9.9
Refusing to change beliefs or show regret, even when wrong
1
8.1
Not willing to change your mind or actions
1
8.2
To refuse to change your mind or actions without good reason
1
7.3
A person who insists on doing what they want and often disobeys others
Firm and not willing to change a decision or opinion
Not willing to change your mind even when others disagree
Refuses to cooperate to cause trouble
Often refuses to do what others ask
Very unwilling to change their mind
Very determined and unwilling to give up when trying to reach a goal
Not willing to change your mind or what you do
Antonyms
How Stubborn
Surface Forms
Morphology
as + stubborn + as + an + anvil
This simile uses the common compositional pattern 'as X as Y' and the constituent meanings are directly informative: 'stubborn' (unyielding) plus 'anvil' (a heavy, immovable metal block) yield the sense of being extremely unyielding. A B1 learner who knows both words and the comparative structure can readily infer the intended meaning, so the expression is compositional and transparent.
Etymology
As stubborn as an anvil compares a person to a heavy metal block called an anvil, which a blacksmith uses and which does not move or bend when it is hit. So saying someone is as stubborn as an anvil means they are 'refusing to change'.