Words / B2

TUF/tʌf/

Tough means difficult, strong, or strict: a tough question; tough new rules; tough material. Hard is everyday; difficult is the essay twin; rough is uneven or violent. A tough marking window is not an excuse to skip the n. Mix-up: though / thought / trough. Do not write tough for “chewy food” in an economics paper without the food sense.

Meaning

Difficult, strong, or strict.

Examples

• “A tough marking window is not an excuse to skip the n, the methods tutor said.”
• “Tough new rules on lobbying featured in the bill, which is the strict sense.”

Good to know

a tough question / decision / material; tough on + crime; toughen. Everyday: hard. Trap: though / thought. News, exams, and science. Difficult, durable, or strict — specify.

Near in meaning

difficult

New