1 difficult; having or causing problems 困難的;有難題的;引致難題的:
It will be a tough decision to make.那將是個難做的決定。He's had a tough time of it (= a lot of problems) recently.他最近遇到很多難題。
2tough (on/with sb/sth) strict; not feeling sorry for anyone 嚴厲的;不講情面的:
The government plans to get tough with people who drink and drive.政府打算嚴厲對待酒後駕駛的人。Don't be too tough on them -- they were only trying to help.别對他們太苛刻─他們當時只是想幫幫忙。
3 strong enough to deal with difficult conditions or situations 堅強的;能吃苦的;不屈不撓的:
You need to be tough to go climbing in winter.冬天爬山一定要吃得起苦。
4 (used especially about meat) difficult to cut and eat (尤指肉)硬的,切不動的,咬不動的
5 not easily broken, torn or cut; very strong 堅韌的;結實的:
a tough pair of boots一雙耐穿的靴子
6 (informal 非正式)tough (on sb) unfortunate for sb in a way that seems unfair 不幸的;倒黴的:
It's tough on her that she lost her job.她丢了工作,真倒黴。 ➔toughnessnoun [U]
tough/tʌf; tʌf/adj 1 difficult or involving problems 困難的﹔棘手的: It was a tough job. 那是一項棘手的工作。They asked some tough questions . 他們問了一些難以回答的問題。Recently she's had a tough time . 最近她的日子很難熬。It's tough being married to a cop. 嫁給警察日子不好過。be tough on sb (=make things difficult for someone) 使某人日子難過 The divorce was tough on the kids. 離婚讓孩子們吃了苦。2 a tough person is strong or determined, and not easily upset 強壯的﹔堅強的: Bruce Willis plays the part of a tough cop. 布魯斯∙威利斯扮演一個硬漢警察的角色。a gang of teenage boys, trying to look tough 裝兇充橫的一幫十幾歲男孩a tough businesswoman 作風強硬的女商人3 tough material is not easily broken or damaged〔材料〕結實的﹐不易破損的: a tough waterproof jacket 一件結實的防水夾克4 very strict 嚴厲的: +on/with The government said it was going to get tough on crime. 政府表示要嚴厲打擊犯罪。tough immigration laws 嚴格的移民法5 tough food, especially meat, is difficult to cut and eat [ tender ]〔食物﹐尤指肉〕難切開的﹔咬不動的﹔老的: The steak was a bit tough. 牛排有點兒老。6 tough!/tough luck! spoken used when a bad situation affecting someone cannot or will not be changed, and you do not care【口】活該倒黴!: If you don’t like it, tough. 你不喜歡的話﹐那你活該倒黴!—toughness n [U]
toughtoughtoughertoughestadjective (tougher, toughest)1difficultsame meaninghard: This is a tough job.2strict or firmsame meaninghard: He's very tough on his children.oppositesoft3very strong: You need to be tough to go climbing in winter.4Tough meat is difficult to cut and eat.oppositetender5difficult to break or tear: a tough pair of boots