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when the going gets tough

Also found in: Wikipedia

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when the going gets tough and if the going gets tough; when the going gets rough; if the going gets rough

as things get extremely difficult; when it becomes difficult to proceed. When the going gets tough, I will be there to help you. If the going gets tough, just give me a call.

See also: get, going, tough

when the going gets tough also when the going gets rough

when a situation becomes difficult or unpleasant I run the farm on my own, but a local boy helps me out when the going gets tough.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form if the going gets tough and sometimes followed by the tough get going or, for a humorous effect, the tough go shopping: When Anna gets upset, she goes out and buys something - you know, when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping.

See also: get, going, tough

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when ship comes in
when sneezes, catches a cold
When the cat's away
When the cat's away, the mice will play
when the chips are down
when the dust settles
when the going gets rough
when the going gets tough
When the going gets tough, the tough get going
when the shit hits the fan
when the time is ripe
when was a twinkle in father's eye
when you get a minute
Where can I wash up?
Where have you been all my life?

when the chips are down
When the Clouds Roll by
When the common law and statute law concur
when the crunch comes
When the Deal Goes Down
When the Devil Holds the Candle
When the Doves Cry
When the Dust Settles
When the Dust Settles
When the Eagle Flies
When the Eagle Hunts
when the fancy takes
when the fancy takes
when the fancy takes
when the fancy takes
when the fancy takes

when the fancy takes
when the fancy takes
when the fat hit the fire
when the fat lady sings
When the foundation fails
When The Freak
When the Going Gets Dark
when the going gets rough
when the going gets tough
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Go Shopping (2point4 children)
When the Good Times Come (Hard Rain album)
When the Ham Turned
When The Hangover Strikes
When the Heartache Is Over
When the Hot Ice Melts

When the Kite String Pops
When the Lady Smiles
When the Last Sword Is Drawn
When the Last Time
When the law gives anything
When the law presumes the affirmative
When the Legends Die
When the Levee Breaks
When the Levees Broke
When the Lights Go Down
When the Lights Go Down (song)
When the Lights Go Out
When The Lights Go Out (single)
When The Lion Feeds
When the Money's Gone
When the Money's Gone/Love One Another

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