tough
adjective uk/tʌf/ us/tʌf/
(STRONG)
B2 结实的；坚固的；坚强的
strong; not easily broken or made weaker or defeated
These toys are made from tough plastic. 这些玩具是由结实的塑料制成的。
Children's shoes need to be tough. 童鞋必须结实。
You have to be tough to be successful in politics. 要在政界取得成功就必须坚强。
informal Their lawyer is a real tough customer/nut (= person). 他们的律师真是很有主见。
C2 强硬的；严厉的
strong and determined
Tough new safety standards have been introduced for cars. 汽车生产采用了更加严格的新安全标准。
There have been calls for tougher controls/restrictions on what online retailers are allowed to sell. 一直有人呼吁要对网上零售商出售的商品种类严加控制／限制。
After some tough bargaining, we finally agreed on a deal. 经过艰苦的讨价还价，我们最终达成了一笔交易。
I think it's time the police got tougher on/with (= treated more severely) people who drink and drive. 我觉得警方该对酒后驾车者采取更加严厉的措施。
The government is continuing to take a tough line on terrorism. 政府继续对恐怖主义采取强硬的态度。
- More examples
- I can't eat this meat - it's too tough.
- Polyurethane varnish provides a tough, scratch-resistant finish.
- We need a mayor who is tough enough to clean up this town.
- You'll need some fairly tough footwear to go walking up mountains.
- Several governments have adopted tough new anti-terrorist legislation in the wake of the attacks.
(DIFFICULT)
B2 困难的；棘手的
difficult to do or to deal with
They've had an exceptionally tough life. 他们的一生异常艰苦。
They will be a tough team to beat. 他们会是一支很难战胜的队伍。
The company is going through a tough time at the moment. 公司现在正值困难时期。
We've had to make some very tough decisions. 我们不得不作出了一些很艰难的决定。
My boss has given me a tough job/assignment. 我的老板给了我一个棘手的活儿／任务。
Many homeless people are facing a tough winter. 许多无家可归者正面临严冬的考验。
- More examples
- It's been a tough six months and I feel I've earned a few weeks off.
- We'll have to make some tough decisions - there are no easy options.
- It's going to be a tough competition but I'm mentally prepared for it.
- This course is really tough, - sometimes I feeling like packing it all in.
- Now I'm going to ask you a really tough question - are you ready?
(FOOD)
B2 （食物）老的，不易切开的，嚼不动的
Tough food is difficult to cut or eat.
This steak is very tough. 这块牛排很不好嚼。
These apples have tough skins. 这些苹果的皮很老。
(VIOLENT)
粗鲁的;暴力的;不友善的
likely to be violent or to contain violence; not kind or pleasant
a tough neighbourhood 治安很差的社区
Many of the country's toughest criminals are held in this prison. 这个国家最凶残的罪犯有许多都关在这座监狱里。
(UNLUCKY)
C2 informal不幸的，倒霉的
unlucky
"I have to work late today because I'm very behind on my work." "Oh, tough luck!" “我今天必须加班，因为落下了许多活儿。”“哦，真倒霉！”
It's tough on Geoff that he's going to miss the party. 杰弗真倒霉，他要错过这次聚会了。
informal活该（表示不同情）
sometimes used to show that you have no sympathy for someone's problems or difficulties
"I don't have any money left." "Well, (that's just) tough - you shouldn't have spent it all on cigarettes." “我的钱都花光了。”“哼，活该——你不该把钱都拿来买烟。”
Idioms
it's tough at the topidiom humorous saying 处在高位就是不一样（表示他们可以享受很多优厚待遇）
used to mean that people in important positions have a lot of advantages and get a lot of good things
"The CEO always flies first class." "It's tough at the top, isn't it?" “首席执行官乘飞机总是坐头等舱。”“职位高待遇就是不一样，对吧？”
(as) tough as old bootsidiom UK 十分强壮；非常坚强
very strong, and not easily made weaker
He might be in his eighties but he's tough as old boots, that man. 那个男人可能已经有80多岁了，可他身体依然硬朗。
informal (US also (as) tough as shoe leather)（食物）非常老，很难切，嚼不动
Tough food is very difficult to cut or eat.
tough luckidiom informal (offensive tough shit) 活该（表示不同情）
said to show that you have no sympathy for someone's problems or difficulties
"They lost a lot of money on their investment." "Tough luck - they should have been more careful." “他们的投资损失惨重。”“活该——谁叫他们不小心呢。”
tough
noun [ C ] old-fashioned informal uk/tʌf/ us/tʌf/ (also toughie)
粗暴的人；暴徒
a violent person
Bands of armed toughs roamed the city. 几群持有武器的暴徒在这座城市里游荡。
- More examples
- There are some pretty tough children in his class.
- He worked for a group of tough masters.
- His bosses were really tough.