- To make it tough
- Tough Tough, a. [Compar. {Tougher}; superl. {Toughest}.] [OE.
tough, AS. t[=o]h, akin to D. taai, LG. taa, tage, tau, OHG.
z[=a]hi, G. z[aum]he, and also to AS. getenge near to, close
to, oppressive, OS. bitengi.]
1. Having the quality of flexibility without brittleness;
yielding to force without breaking; capable of resisting
great strain; as, the ligaments of animals are remarkably
tough. ``Tough roots and stubs. '' --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
2. Not easily broken; able to endure hardship; firm; strong; -- of objects and people; as, tough sinews. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]
A body made of brass, the crone demands, . . . Tough to the last, and with no toil to tire. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
The basis of his character was caution combined with tough tenacity of purpose. --J. A. Symonds. [1913 Webster]
3. Not easily separated; viscous; clammy; tenacious; as, tough phlegm. [1913 Webster]
4. Stiff; rigid; not flexible; stubborn; as, a tough bow. [1913 Webster]
So tough a frame she could not bend. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
5. Severe; violent; as, a tough storm. [Colloq.] `` A tough debate. '' --Fuller. [1913 Webster]
6. Difficult to do, perform, or accomplish; as, a tough job. [PJC]
7. Prone to aggressive or violent behavior; rowdyish; -- of people, or groups; as, a tough neighborhood; a tough character. [PJC]
{To make it tough}, to make it a matter of difficulty; to make it a hard matter. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.