stand the gaff

Idioms  

1. Take severe criticism or other adversity in stride, as in If you can't stand the gaff, don't try running for office. [Slang; late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

Not until the Rutgers* game, his sophomore year, did Kazmaier demonstrate that he was tough enough to stand the gaff.

From Time Magazine Archive

The full pursuit was a well-organized chase, not necessarily to catch the fox, but to find out which hound could best stand the gaff of the rugged, three-day test.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Navy harbors little doubt about the ability of Polaris crews to stand the gaff.

From Time Magazine Archive

This sort of thing has happened often in Wright's career, and the hostile argument runs that few businessmen are as able as rich Mr. Johnson to stand the gaff of perfectionism at like cost.

From Time Magazine Archive

There's been one coming to you ever since you ran away and left a girl to stand the gaff for you.

From Mavericks by Raine, William MacLeod