Phrase Hound found 65 phrases and 17 compound words that contain tough. The most common are listed below. Open tough in the live search for definitions, filters, and the full list.
Phrases 65
- tough-guyResembling or characteristic of a tough guy.
- tough on crimeThat establishes stricter criminal penalties, especially as a reaction to violent and property crime.
- tough loveThe compassionate use of stringent disciplinary measures, to attempt to improve someone's behavior.
- tough crowdAn audience that is difficult to please.
- tough callA choice or judgment which is difficult to make, especially one involving only two alternatives.
- tough luckBad luck.
- tough timesSynonym of hard times: Difficulties; a difficult time; trouble.
- tough breakA situation resulting in misfortune or hardship; an instance of bad luck.
- hang toughTo remain strong-willed or brave, especially when experiencing duress or adversity.
- tough cookieA person who can endure physical or mental hardship; a hardened, strong-willed person.
- tough cookiesplural of tough cookie: A person who can endure physical or mental hardship; a hardened, strong-willed person.
- tough guysplural of tough guy: Resembling or characteristic of a tough guy.
- tough as nailsHaving a hard, strong, and determined mindset.
- hanging toughpresent participle and gerund of hang tough
- Kirkton of ToughA small village south-east of Alford, Aberdeenshire council area, Scotland (OS grid ref NJ6113).
- tough nutsplural of tough nut: Synonym of tough nut to crack (“person, etc. difficult to deal with”).
- tough outTo endure (a hardship or challenge) by being tough: relying on one's toughness.
- tough nutSynonym of tough nut to crack (“person, etc. difficult to deal with”).
- tough it outSynonym of tough out: To endure (a hardship or challenge) by being tough: relying on one's toughness.
- doing it toughpresent participle and gerund of do it tough
- done it toughpast participle of do it tough: To be in a desperate situation; to struggle.
- tough nut to crackSynonym of hard nut to crack: A problem that is challenging to solve.
- tough caseA person who is difficult to work with.
- tough sellSynonym of hard sell (“a sales transaction which is challenging for the sales person to make”).
- tough-mindedNot distracted from actual facts by enticements, intimidation, or sentimentality; steadfast in one's actions, beliefs, commitments, etc.; realistic.
Compound words 17
- toughnessThe state of being tough.
- toughheartedSurly; tending to repress the softer emotions.
- supertoughExceptionally tough.
- semitoughSomewhat tough.
- toughishSomewhat tough.
- toughlyIn a tough manner.
- toughmindedAlternative form of tough-minded: Not distracted from actual facts by enticements, intimidation, or sentimentality; steadfast in one's actions, beliefs, commitments, etc.; realistic.
- toughshankAny of several species of fungi in the order (taxonomic rank) Agaricales.
- untoughNot tough.
- toughestsuperlative form of tough: most tough