tough

B1 · Intermediate

adj. very difficult to deal with or finish.

adj. demanding great effort, endurance, or resolve.

“The exam was really tough and many students didn't finish on time.”

“The board faced a tough decision regarding the merger, as hundreds of jobs were potentially at stake.”

B1 · Intermediate Cooking

adj. difficult to cut or chew, especially meat.

adj. physically firm or fibrous; resistant to mastication or cutting.

“The steak was so tough that I could barely cut it with my knife.”

“If you overcook the octopus, the texture becomes incredibly tough and rubbery rather than tender.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. strict and not easily influenced by pity or excuses.

adj. enforcing rules strictly; unyielding or severe in judgment or policy.

“The new manager is very tough on employees who arrive late.”

“The government promised to be tough on crime by introducing mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal

n. a person who is violent or acts like a bully.

n. a person who behaves in a rough or violent way, typically a criminal or a hired bully.

“A couple of street toughs were hanging around the corner looking for trouble.”

“The local gang employed several toughs to intimidate shopkeepers into paying for protection.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

v. to stay strong and deal with a difficult situation until it ends.

v. to endure a difficult period or situation; almost exclusively used in the phrasal verb 'tough it out'.

“It was a long, cold walk, but we decided to tough it out.”

“Despite the falling stock prices, the investors decided to tough it out and wait for the market to recover.”