- having or causing problems or difficulties
- a tough childhood
- It was a tough decision to make.
- During the interview I was asked some really tough questions.
- Now Karen must make one of the toughest choices of her life.
- She's been having a tough time of it (= a lot of problems) lately.
- Times are tough at the moment.
- We've got a tough fight ahead.
- He faces the toughest test of his leadership so far.
- What was the toughest job you ever had?
- a tough task
- It can be tough trying to juggle a career and a family.
- He faces tough competition from the rest of the team.
- tough on somebody Puberty can be tough on kids.
- I knew she was going to be tough to beat.
Extra Examples- He may find it tough to pursue his plans.
- The strong dollar has made it tough for small businesses.
- Things were pretty tough at first.
- It's tough out there in the real world.
- The next couple of months will be tough, but I'm sure we'll cope.
- It's very tough on a child to lose a parent like that.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- seem
- get
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- on
- demanding that particular rules be obeyed and showing a lack of sympathy for any problems that this may cause
- tough with somebody/something It's about time teachers started to get tough with bullies.
- tough on somebody/something Politicians believe they have to be tough on crime.
- Don't be too tough on him—he was only trying to help.
- The school takes a tough line on (= punishes severely) cheating.
- The judge was well known for his tough stance on corruption.
- tough new anti-terror measures
- Local traders are calling for tougher action against vandals.
Extra Examples- Has the government been tough enough on polluters?
- The government has promised to get tough on crime.
- You have to be tough with these young thugs.
- There will be tough new controls on car emissions.
- We must take a tough stance against terrorism.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- become
- get
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- on
- with
- 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 (= somebody who knows what they want and is not easily influenced by other people).
- Celine is a fighter, a tough nut.
- How mentally tough are you?
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- appear
- be
- feel
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- (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.
- Then this guy started acting tough.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- appear
- be
- feel
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- (of a place or area) with a lot of crime or violence
- She grew up in a tough neighbourhood.
- difficult to cut or bite on
- The meat was a bit tough.
- Overcooking the burger will make it tough and dry.
- not easily cut, broken, torn, etc.
- a tough pair of shoes
- The reptile's skin is tough and scaly.
- tough (on somebody) (informal) unlucky for somebody 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.)’
difficult
strict
strong
violent
meat
not easily damaged
not lucky
Word OriginOld English tōh, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch taai and German zäh.
Idioms
See tough in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee tough in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishhang tough
- (North American English, informal) to be determined and refuse to change your attitude or ideas
a hard/tough nut
- (informal) a person who is difficult to deal with or to influence
a hard/tough nut (to crack)
- a difficult problem or situation to deal with
a hard/tough act to follow
- a person or event that is so good or successful at something that it will be difficult for anyone/anything else coming after them to be as good or successful
- She has been an excellent principal and will be a hard act to follow.
- Their contribution will prove a tough act to follow.
talk tough (on something)
- (informal, especially North American English) to tell people very strongly what you want
(as) tough as old boots | (as) tough as nails (informal)
- very strong and able to deal successfully with difficult conditions or situations
- She’s almost 90 but she’s still as tough as old boots.
More Like This Similes in idiomsSimiles in idioms- (as) bald as a coot
- (as) blind as a bat
- (as) bright as a button
- (as) bold as brass
- as busy as a bee
- as clean as a whistle
- (as) dead as a/the dodo
- (as) deaf as a post
- (as) dull as ditchwater
- (as) fit as a fiddle
- as flat as a pancake
- (as) good as gold
- (as) mad as a hatter/a March hare
- (as) miserable/ugly as sin
- as old as the hills
- (as) pleased/proud as Punch
- as pretty as a picture
- (as) regular as clockwork
- (as) quick as a flash
- (as) safe as houses
- (as) sound as a bell
- (as) steady as a rock
- (as) thick as two short planks
- (as) tough as old boots
tough luck (informal)
- used to show sympathy for somebody that something bad that has happened to
- ‘I failed by one point.’ ‘That's tough luck.’
- (ironic) used to show that you do not feel sorry for somebody who has a problem
- ‘If you take the car, I won't be able to go out.’ ‘Tough luck!’
when the going gets tough (the tough get going)
- (saying) when conditions or progress become difficult (strong and determined people work even harder to succeed)Topics Successc2
Check pronunciation:
tough