tough it out

Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Wikipedia.

tough it out

To persist through a difficult situation. I'm amazed you toughed it out and went to school with such a high fever.

See also: out, tough

tough out

To endure or tolerate some task or activity despite difficulties, hardships, or unpleasant conditions. A noun or pronoun can be used between "tough" and "out." I know you aren't enjoying college so far, but tough it out for at least the first year. Well, you toughed out your first winter in Siberia—how was it? I toughed that job out for nearly 10 years, but I came to realize that life is too short to spend it being miserable.

See also: out, tough

tough it out

endure a period of difficult conditions. informal

1998 Cosmopolitan Hang in there and tough it out. If you don't, you might be left with permanent fears about starting in new jobs, and that will stifle your career.

See also: out, tough

tough it out

Slang

To get through despite hardship; endure: "It helps if one was raised to tough it out" (Gail Sheehy).

See also: out, tough

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.