Tough meaning in English

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Definition

(a) tough (problem, case): (a) difficult, hard, arduous, troublesome (problem, case) adjective
(a) tough (person): (a) strong, hard, determined, resilient (person) adjective
(a) tough (material): (a) durable, strong, resistant (material) adjective

UK: The environment is one of today's toughest problems.
US: Kevin is tough because he grew up in a tough neighborhood.

Examples

  • "Tough son of a bitch."
  • "That's a tough one."
  • "Titanium is light and tough - that's why they make airplanes out of this stuff!"
  • "Donna : Oh, my word Lucy, that's a tough question."
  • "It seems like you've really got a knack for press conferences, although you should expect some tougher questions in the future."
  • "Susie : Are you tough enough?"
  • "Oh, so as I was saying, it will be tough to find a room for tonight, but I'll see what I can do."
  • "This weekend's tough, will there be chocolates?"
  • "These days, boasting about short nights seems more silly than manly, not to mention that anyone still working on Wall Street is lucky to have a job during these tough economic times!"
  • "But I've got to warn you, these are some pretty serious tough hombres back there..."
  • "You don't look so tough now, huh?"
  • "Bob the Brit : Alright, let me see those hands in the air, tough guy!"
  • "You will see that it is tough and hard to swallow."
  • "Tough! Tough!"
  • "We can do this right now, tough guy."
  • "It was a tough competition, but Mr Oleré eventually outclassed his canine competitors by using his human brain to his advantage."
  • "They are trying to break me, Bruno, and I am afraid that despite my rugged, tough exterior, I may not last."
  • "That's tough!"

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