tough

I. tough¹ S2 W2 /tʌf/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative tougher, superlative toughest)
[Word Family: adverb: ↑toughly, ↑tough, ↑toughly; verb: ↑toughen; noun: ↑toughness; adjective: ↑tough]
[Language: Old English; Origin: toh]
1. DIFFICULT difficult to do or deal with:
It was a tough race.
She’s had a tough life.
The company admitted that it had been a tough year.
Tough decisions will have to be made.
The reporters were asking a lot of tough questions.
have a tough time (of it) (=face a lot of difficult problems)
The family has had a tough time of it these last few months.
it’s tough doing something
It’s tough being married to a cop.
be tough on somebody (=cause problems for someone or make their life difficult)
Having to stay indoors all day is tough on a kid.
It was a tough call (=a difficult decision), but we had to cancel the game because of the weather.
I find his books pretty tough going (=difficult to read).
Gage predicted the president’s proposal would be a tough sell (=something that is difficult to persuade someone about) before Congress. American English
when the going gets tough (the tough get going) informal (=used to say that when a situation becomes difficult, strong people take the necessary action to deal with it)
2. STRONG PERSON physically or emotionally strong and able to deal with difficult situations:
The men who work on the oil rigs are a tough bunch.
tough cookie/customer informal (=someone who is very determined to do what they want and not what other people want)
as tough as nails/as tough as old boots (=very tough)
He’s as tough as nails – a good man to have on the team.
3. STRONG MATERIAL not easily broken or made weaker:
tough, durable plastic
a very tough, hard-wearing cloth
4. STRICT/FIRM very strict or firm
tough on/with
My mother was very tough on my sister.
It’s time to get tough with drunk drivers.
The EU is taking a tough line with the UK over this issue.
5. VIOLENT AREA a tough part of a town has a lot of crime or violence
tough neighborhood/area/part of town etc
a tough area of Chicago
6. tough!/that’s tough! spoken used when you do not have any sympathy with someone:
‘I’m getting wet.’ ‘Tough! You should’ve brought your umbrella.’
She didn’t tell us she was coming, so if this screws up her plans that’s just tough.
7. tough luck! spoken
a) used when you do not have any sympathy for someone’s problems:
Well, that’s just their tough luck! It was their mistake.
b) British English used when you feel sympathy about something bad that has happened to someone:
You didn’t get the job? Oh, tough luck!
8. tough shit! spoken not polite used when you do not have any sympathy for someone’s problems
9. VIOLENT PERSON likely to behave violently and having no gentle qualities:
one of football’s most notorious tough guys
tough young thugs looking for trouble
10. FOOD difficult to cut or eat OPP tender:
The meat was tough and hard to chew.
the tough outer leaves of the cabbage
11. tough love a way of helping someone to change their behaviour by treating them in a kind but strict way

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

tough

tough [tough toughs] adjective, noun, verb [tʌf] [tʌf]

adjective (tough·er, tough·est)

DIFFICULT
1. having or causing problems or difficulties
• a tough childhood
• It was a tough decision to make.
• She's been having a tough time of it (= a lot of problems) lately.
• He faces the toughest test of his leadership so far.

• It can be tough trying to juggle a career and a family.

STRICT/FIRM

2. demanding that particular rules be obeyed and showing a lack of sympathy for any problems or suffering that this may cause
• ~ (on sb/sth) Don't be too tough on him— he was only trying to help.
• ~ (with sb/sth) It's about time teachers started to get tough with bullies.
• The school takes a tough line on (= punishes severely) cheating.
• Local traders are calling for tougher action against vandals.

Opp: soft

STRONG

3. strong enough to deal successfully with difficult conditions or situations
• a tough breed of cattle
• He's not tough enough for a career in sales.

• She's a tough cookie/customer (= sb who knows what they want and is not easily influenced by other people).

4. (of a person) physically strong and likely to be violent
• You think you're so tough, don't you?

• He plays the tough guy in the movie.

MEAT

5. difficult to cut or chew

Opp: tender

NOT EASILY DAMAGED

6. not easily cut, broken, torn, etc
• a tough pair of shoes

• The reptile's skin is tough and scaly.

UNFORTUNATE

7. ~ (on sb) (informal) unfortunate for sb in a way that seems unfair
• It was tough on her being dropped from the team like that.
• (ironic) ‘I can't get it finished in time.’ ‘Tough! (= I don't feel sorry about it.) ’
more at a hard/tough act to follow at act _n., when the going gets tough (the tough get going) at going _n., hang tough at hang _v., a hard/tough nuta hard/tough nut (to crack) at nut _n., talk tough at talk _v.
Word Origin:
Old English tōh, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch taai and German zäh.
Example Bank:
• Has the government been tough enough on polluters?
• He may find it tough to pursue his plans.
• It's very tough on the wives when the husbands go off like that.
• It's very tough on the wives when the husbands leave.
• The government has promised to get tough on crime.
• The meat was a bit tough.
• The strong dollar has made it tough for small businesses.
• Then this guy started acting tough.
• Things were pretty tough at first.
• You have to be tough with these young thugs.
• Don't be too tough on him— he was only trying to help.
• He had a tough childhood.
• It's about time teachers started to get tough with bullies.
• It's tough out there in the real world.
• She's been having a tough time of it.
• The next couple of months will be tough, but I'm sure we'll cope.
• The school takes a tough line on cheating.
• There will be tough new controls on car emissions.
• We must take a tough stance against terrorism.
Idioms: tough as nails ▪ tough as old boots ▪ tough luck
Derived Words: toughly ▪ toughness

Derived: tough something out

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

tough / tʌf / adjective (STRONG)

B2 strong; not easily broken or made weaker or defeated:

These toys are made from tough plastic.

Children's shoes need to be tough.

You have to be tough to be successful in politics.

informal Their lawyer is a real tough customer/nut (= person) .

C2 strong and determined:

Tough new safety standards have been introduced for cars.

There have been calls for tougher controls/restrictions on what newspapers are allowed to print.

After some tough bargaining, we finally agreed on a deal.

I think it's time the police got tougher on/with (= treated more severely) people who drink and drive.

The government is continuing to take a tough line on terrorism.

toughly / ˈtʌf.li / adverb

These boots are very toughly (= strongly) made.

The newspaper published a toughly worded article about racist behaviour.

We live in a toughly competitive world.

toughness / ˈtʌf.nəs /

C2

She has a reputation for toughness (= being strong and determined) .

They can't face the toughness of the competition .

tough / tʌf / adjective (DIFFICULT)

B2 difficult to do or to deal with:

They've had an exceptionally tough life.

They will be a tough team to beat.

The company is going through a tough time at the moment.

We've had to make some very tough decisions .

My boss has given me a tough job/assignment .

Many homeless people are facing a tough winter .

toughly / ˈtʌf.li / adverb

These boots are very toughly (= strongly) made.

The newspaper published a toughly worded article about racist behaviour.

We live in a toughly competitive world.

toughness / ˈtʌf.nəs /

C2

She has a reputation for toughness (= being strong and determined) .

They can't face the toughness of the competition .

tough / tʌf / adjective (FOOD)

B2 describes food that is difficult to cut or eat:

This steak is very tough.

These apples have tough skins.

toughness / ˈtʌf.nəs /

C2

She has a reputation for toughness (= being strong and determined) .

They can't face the toughness of the competition .

tough / tʌf / adjective (VIOLENT)

likely to be violent or to contain violence; not kind or pleasant:

a tough neighbourhood

Many of the country's toughest criminals are held in this prison.

toughly / ˈtʌf.li / adverb

These boots are very toughly (= strongly) made.

The newspaper published a toughly worded article about racist behaviour.

We live in a toughly competitive world.

toughness / ˈtʌf.nəs /

C2

She has a reputation for toughness (= being strong and determined) .

They can't face the toughness of the competition .

tough / tʌf / adjective (UNLUCKY)

C2 informal unlucky:

"I've been told I've got to work late today because I'm very behind on my work." "Oh, tough luck !"

It's tough on Geoff that he's going to miss the party.

informal sometimes used to show that you have no sympathy for someone's problems or difficulties:

"I haven't got any money left." "Well, ( that's just) tough - you shouldn't have spent it all on cigarettes."

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

tough

[tʌ̱f]
♦♦
tougher, toughest, toughs, toughing, toughed
1) ADJ-GRADED A tough person is strong and determined, and can tolerate difficulty or suffering.
  He built up a reputation as a tough businessman...
  She is tough and ambitious.
  Derived words:
  toughness N-UNCOUNT Mrs Potter has won a reputation for toughness and determination on her way to the top.
2) ADJ-GRADED If you describe someone as tough, you mean that they are rough and violent.
  He had shot three people dead earning himself a reputation as a tough guy.
N-COUNT
A tough is a tough person. Three burly toughs elbowed their way to the front.
3) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n A tough place or area is considered to have a lot of crime and violence.
  She doesn't seem cut out for this tough neighbourhood...
  Arthur grew up in a tough city.
  Syn:
  rough
4) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n A tough way of life or period of time is difficult or full of suffering.
  She had a pretty tough childhood...
  It's been a tough day...
  He was having a really tough time at work.
  Syn:
  rough
5) ADJ-GRADED: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf, ADJ to-inf A tough task or problem is difficult to do or solve.
  It was a very tough decision but we feel we made the right one...
  Whoever wins the election is going to have a tough job getting the economy back on its feet...
  It may be tough to raise cash...
  Change is often tough to deal with.
  Syn:
  hard
6) ADJ-GRADED Tough policies or actions are strict and firm.
  He is known for taking a tough line on security...
  He announced tough measures to limit the money supply.
  Syn:
  strict
7) ADJ-GRADED A tough substance is strong, and difficult to break, cut, or tear.
  In industry, diamond can form a tough, non-corrosive coating for tools.
  ...dark brown beans with a rather tough outer skin.
8) ADJ-GRADED Tough meat is difficult to cut and chew.
  The steak was tough and the peas were like bullets.
9) PHRASE: V inflects If someone who is trying to achieve something hangs tough, they remain determined and do not give up, even when there are difficulties or problems. [AM, INFORMAL]
  The White House is hanging tough for a good agreement to be reached.
10) a tough row to hoe → see hoe
tough luck → see luck
a tough nut → see nut
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - tough out

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

¹tough /ˈtʌf/ adj tough·er; tough·est
1 : very difficult to do or deal with
• a tough [=hard] assignment/problem
• tough choices
• She had a tough time in college.
• It's been a tough year for our family. = This year has been tough on [=hard on] our family.
- often followed by to + verb
• It was tough to quit smoking.
• The problem was tough to solve.
2 a : physically and emotionally strong : able to do hard work, to deal with harsh conditions, etc.
• tough soldiers
• Are you tough enough for the job?
b : physically strong and violent
• tough criminals
• He's been hanging around with a bunch of tough guys.
3 a : strong and not easily broken or damaged
• tough fibers
• The rug is made of tough material.
b : difficult to cut or chew
• tough meat
4 : very strict
• a tough law/policy
• He's a tough boss/teacher, but fair.
• The candidates both vow to get tough on crime. [=to deal harshly with criminals]
5 : having a lot of crime or danger
• a tough neighborhood
6 : hard to influence or persuade
• She's a tough bargainer/negotiator.
7 informal : unfortunate in a way that seems unfair
• It's tough that he lost that job.
- often used in an ironic way to show that you do not feel sympathy for someone
• “He failed the test.” “Well, that's tough. Maybe if he'd studied a little he would have passed.”
• He failed the test? Tough! [=too bad] He should have studied more than he did.
- see also tough luck at ¹luck
(as) tough as nails
- see ¹nail
(as) tough as old boots Brit informal : very tough
• This steak is as tough as old boots.
• Don't worry about her—she's as tough as old boots.
a tough act to follow
- see follow
a tough nut (to crack)
- see nut
a tough row to hoe
- see ¹row