tough
/tÊŒf/
The central image is one of resistance against pressure. Whether it refers to a physical material, a person's character, or a difficult situation, the word implies a refusal to break, yield, or collapse under strain. When applied to people, it carries a dual connotation. It can be high praise for resilience and mental strength, or a description of someone who is cold, uncompromising, and lacking in empathy. In contrast to 'hard', which suggests rigidity or lack of flexibility, 'tough' emphasizes the ability to absorb impact and keep going. A 'hard' person might be brittle; a 'tough' person is durable. When describing food (like meat), it takes on a negative sensory quality, meaning the texture is overly fibrous and difficult to chew, opposing 'tender'.
💬Casual Conversation
This whole adulting thing is proving really tough to get a handle on, G-ma.
I know honey. You'll figure it out, I promise.
Meanings
Collocations & Compounds
tough guy
a man who is physically strong and aggressive, or who behaves in a deliberately strong and intimidating way
He tried to act like a tough guy, but he was scared.
tough decision
a choice that is difficult to make
It was a tough decision for the committee.
tough times
a period of difficulty or hardship
The company is going through tough times.
tough cookie
a person who is strong and determined and does not show emotion easily
Don't worry about her, she's a tough cookie.
tough conditions
difficult circumstances or environment
The climbers faced tough conditions on the mountain.
Phrasal Verbs
tough out
to succeed in a difficult situation by being determined and persistent
They managed to tough out the recession.
Idioms & Sayings
tough break
an instance of bad luck
Losing the final game was a real tough break.
when the going gets tough, the tough get going
strong and determined people do not give up when they face difficulties
She believes that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
tough luck
used to express sympathy to someone who has had bad luck, often in a slightly unfriendly or dismissive way
You missed the train? Tough luck!
Etymology
The word 'tough' ultimately derives from the Old English word 'tēoh', meaning 'tendon' or 'sinew'. This evolved into Middle English 'togh' and 'touh', with meanings related to physical resilience and difficulty. The spelling 'tough' became standard in the 16th century. The core idea is of something resistant to breaking or yielding, stemming from the strength of natural fibers like sinew.