tough out
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To endure (a hardship or challenge) by being tough: relying on one's toughness.
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Near-synonyms: face it out, stick it out
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “tough out” mean?
To endure (a hardship or challenge) by being tough: relying on one's toughness.
Is “tough out” formal or informal?
tough out is generally informal.