Phrase guide

tough call

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A choice or judgment which is difficult to make, especially one involving only two alternatives.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 進退兩難 /进退两难 (jìntuìliǎngnán) — choice which is difficult to make
  • Chinese Mandarin: 左右為難 /左右为难 (zuǒyòuwéinán) — choice which is difficult to make
  • Finnish: vaikea päätös — choice which is difficult to make
  • Russian: непростой выбор (neprostoj vybor) — choice which is difficult to make