Tough Difficult Time Tʌf Strong Deal She’s It’s

• 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.

tough

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.
2. demanding that particular rules be obeyed and showing a lack of sympathy for any problems or suffering that this may cause
• opposite soft
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/soft
• Don't be too tough on him—he was only trying to help.
• 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.
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(= somebody who knows what they want and is not easily influenced by other people).
4. physically strong and likely to be violent
• You think you're so tough, don't you?
• He plays the tough guy in the movie.
5. difficult to cut or chew
• opposite tender
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/tender_1
6. not easily cut, broken, torn, etc.
• a tough pair of shoes
• The reptile's skin is tough and scaly.
7. unfortunate for somebody in a way that seems unfair
• It was tough on her being dropped from the team like that.
• ‘I can't get it finished in time.’ ‘Tough! (= I don't feel sorry about it.)’
8. to be determined and refuse to change your attitude or ideas
9. a person who is so good or successful at something that it will be difficult for anyone else coming after them to be as good or successful
• She has been an excellent principal and will be a hard act to follow.
10. a person who is difficult to deal with or to influence
11. a difficult problem or situation to deal with
12. to tell people very strongly what you want
13. 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.
14. not feeling or showing any emotion
15. used to show sympathy for something unfortunate that has happened to somebody
• ‘I failed by one point.’ ‘That's tough luck.’
16. 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!’
17. when conditions or progress become difficult (strong and determined people work even harder to succeed)

Extra Examples

• 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.

Word Origin

• Old English tōh, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch taai and German zäh.