tough

be a hard/tough act to follow

to be so good it is not likely that anyone or anything else that comes after will be as good. Last year's thrilling Super Bowl, when the New York Giants beat the Buffalo Bills 20-19 will be a hard act to follow. The new Chairman knows his predecessor is a tough act to follow.

See also: act, follow, hard

be as tough as old boots

1. if someone is as tough as old boots, they are very strong and not easily injured. 'Do you think Grandad will ever recover?' 'Of course, he's as tough as old boots.'

(British, American & Australian, American)

2. if food is as tough as old boots, it is difficult to cut or to eat. That steak I had was as tough as old boots.

See also: boot, old

hang tough (American, informal)

to not change your actions or opinions although other people try to make you do this. The President is hanging tough on the hostage crisis.

See also: hang

Hard/Tough cheddar! (British & Australian, informal, Australian, informal)

something that you say to or about someone to whom something bad has happened in order to show that you have no sympathy for them. It's about time Richard realized that he can't have everything his own way - tough cheddar, that's what I say!

See also: hard

Hard/Tough cheese! (British & Australian, informal, Australian, informal)

something that you say to or about someone to whom something bad has happened in order to show that you have no sympathy for them. So he's fed up because he's got to get up early one morning in seven, is he? Well hard cheese!

See also: cheese, hard

a hard/tough nut

someone who is difficult to deal with because they are unpleasant or very determined to get what they want. People don't tend to mess with Sue. She's a tough nut.

See also: hard, nut

a hard/tough nut to crack

a difficult problem to solve. A company whose product has sold well in the States may find the European market a tougher nut to crack.

See also: crack, hard, nut

a hard/tough row to hoe (American)

a difficult situation to deal with. Teachers have a tough row to hoe in today's schools.

See also: hard, hoe, row

if the going gets rough/tough

when the going gets rough/tough - when a situation becomes difficult or unpleasant. I'm spending Christmas with my family, but if the going gets tough I might escape back to London.

See also: going, rough

a tough cookie (American & Australian, informal)

someone who is very determined to do what they want and who usually succeeds even in difficult situations. We're talking about a woman who brought up six children on her own - she's one tough cookie.

See also: cookie

tough love (mainly American)

a method of helping someone to change their behaviour by treating them in a very severe way. Tough love is the only approach to take towards a relative hooked on drugs.

See also: love

Tough shit! (taboo)

something that you say in order to show that you have no sympathy for someone. I know you don't want to go, but tough shit!

See also: shit

when the going gets rough/tough

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.

See also: going, rough

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hang tough

to refuse to change your actions or opinions. The president is hanging tough on his programs and will not even discuss a compromise with leaders of Congress.

See also: hang

talk tough

to speak in a way that makes others fear you. Our government is talking tough to both our enemies and our allies. I can talk tough and scare someone, but I can't really act tough.

See also: talk

a tough act to follow

so good that whatever happens next is not likely to seem as good. The last mayor was one of the most beloved in the city's history, which means Mike Ransom has a tough act to follow.

See also: act, follow

(as) tough as nails

strong and determined. She is a warm and friendly person, but she is also as tough as nails.

See also: nail

tough it out

to be strong while experiencing difficulties. Should we tough it out, or should we close the store and go out of business now?

tough luck

I do not have any sympathy for your problems. Anyone who misses three classes will fail, and if you don't like it, tough luck!

Usage notes: sometimes used to say you are sorry that someone is having problems: If a beggar approached us, she would murmur “tough luck” and give him a few coins.

tough shit

See also: luck

a tough nut (to crack)

a difficult problem to solve. Unemployment is a tough nut. Overcoming local trade barriers is going to be a hard nut to crack.

See also: nut

a tough row to hoe

a difficult situation to deal with. The author said that he knew it would be a tough row to hoe when he began research for this book.

See also: hoe, row

tough shit

I have no sympathy. I know you don't want to go, but tough shit!

tough luck

See also: shit

when the going gets tough

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: going