tough

[US]/tʌf/
[UK]/tʌf/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

- adj. resilient, strong, challenging

Phrases & Collocations

rough and tough

tough decision

tough situation

tough challenges

tough guy

tough it out

get tough with

tough cookie

tough luck

tough nut

tough love

hang tough

Example Sentences

This is a tough problem.

a tough looker is not necessarily a tough fighter.

Smith is as tough as they come.

field a tough question

a tough street group.

a program that is tough but doable.

She is a tough person.

the party's tough stand on immigration.

tough rucksacks for climbers.

have a tough time of it

The meat is too tough to eat.

They are very tough on drunk drivers.

He is tough to work with.

Real-world Examples

" She's tough, Luna, much tougher than you'd think. "

Source: 7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

" Tough times never last but tough people do, " says Robert Schuller.

Source: New Horizons College English Reading and Writing Course (Second Edition)

" When the going gets tough, the tough get going." That's our motto!

Source: The Lion King 2

Ha! Well the aubergine's certainly tough and durable.

Source: BBC Animation Workplace

He says it's been tough. Still it's tough.

Source: Anecdotes of celebrities

The challenge is getting tougher and tougher.

Source: Smart Life Encyclopedia

Why were you so tough with him?

Source: Modern Family - Season 02

He's going through a tough spell now.

Source: 2018 Best Hits Compilation

Tough stuff—perhaps the toughest from any Western leader so far.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

But what is super? How tough is tough?

Source: Earth Laboratory

Popular Words

Explore frequently searched vocabulary

Download App to Unlock Full Content

Want to learn vocabulary more efficiently? Download the DictoGo app and enjoy more vocabulary memorization and review features!

Download DictoGo Now