1tough 
/ˈtʌf/ adjective
tough·er; tough·est /ˈtʌf/ adjective 1 : very difficult to do or deal with
▪ a tough [=hard] assignment/problem ▪ tough choices ▪ She had a tough time in college. ▪ It's been a tough year for our family. = This year has been tough on [=hard on] our family. — often followed by to + verb ▪ It was tough to quit smoking. ▪ The problem was tough to solve. 2 a : physically and emotionally strong : able to do hard work, to deal with harsh conditions, etc.
▪ tough soldiers ▪ Are you tough enough for the job?
b : physically strong and violent
▪ tough criminals ▪ He's been hanging around with a bunch of tough guys. 3 a : strong and not easily broken or damaged
▪ tough fibers ▪ The rug is made of tough material.
b : difficult to cut or chew
▪ tough meat 4 : very strict
▪ a tough law/policy ▪ He's a tough boss/teacher, but fair. ▪ The candidates both vow to get tough on crime. [=to deal harshly with criminals] 5 : having a lot of crime or danger
▪ a tough neighborhood 6 : hard to influence or persuade
▪ She's a tough bargainer/negotiator. 7 informal : unfortunate in a way that seems unfair
▪ It's tough that he lost that job. — often used in an ironic way to show that you do not feel sympathy for someone ▪ “He failed the test.” “Well, that's tough. Maybe if he'd studied a little he would have passed.” ▪ He failed the test? Tough! [=too bad] He should have studied more than he did. — see also tough luck at 1luck
▪ a tough [=hard] assignment/problem ▪ tough choices ▪ She had a tough time in college. ▪ It's been a tough year for our family. = This year has been tough on [=hard on] our family. — often followed by to + verb ▪ It was tough to quit smoking. ▪ The problem was tough to solve.
▪ tough soldiers ▪ Are you tough enough for the job?
b : physically strong and violent
▪ tough criminals ▪ He's been hanging around with a bunch of tough guys.
▪ tough fibers ▪ The rug is made of tough material.
b : difficult to cut or chew
▪ tough meat
▪ a tough law/policy ▪ He's a tough boss/teacher, but fair. ▪ The candidates both vow to get tough on crime. [=to deal harshly with criminals]
▪ a tough neighborhood
▪ She's a tough bargainer/negotiator.
▪ It's tough that he lost that job. — often used in an ironic way to show that you do not feel sympathy for someone ▪ “He failed the test.” “Well, that's tough. Maybe if he'd studied a little he would have passed.” ▪ He failed the test? Tough! [=too bad] He should have studied more than he did. — see also tough luck at 1luck
(as) tough as nails — see 1nail
(as) tough as old boots
Brit, informal : very tough
▪ This steak is as tough as old boots. ▪ Don't worry about her—she's as tough as old boots.
▪ This steak is as tough as old boots. ▪ Don't worry about her—she's as tough as old boots.
a tough act to follow — see follow
a tough nut (to crack) — see nut
a tough row to hoe — see 1row
hang tough — see 1hang
— tough·ly adverb
— tough·ness noun [noncount]
