Phrase guide

tough out

verb · 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

verb

Meaning 1

To endure (a hardship or challenge) by being tough: relying on one's toughness.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, transitive

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: face it out, stick it out
  • When their main crop failed because of drought, they had no choice but to tough it out: they lived in poverty that winter.
  • He toughed out his parents' divorce.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: tough it out, face out, stick it out

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.