Metaphorically, the phrase applies to abstract concepts like hope or human spirit. For example, some argue that "though hope is frail, it's hard to kill," emphasizing that internal resolve often outlasts external hardship. It has also been used in business contexts, where "cockroach startups" are defined by their ability to survive lean times through extreme frugality and persistence.
: Cultivating a "military mindset" by seeking out daily obstacles that push you outside your comfort zone and using visualization to overcome fear.
: Low-maintenance options like the Snake Plant or ZZ Plant are often marketed as "hard to kill" because they thrive in low light and require minimal watering.
: Building a "combat-ready core" through functional movements like single-arm farmer's walks and barbell rollouts.