toughen up
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The government has come under pressure to toughen up existing measures after thick haze from fires burning in Indonesia's Sumatra and Borneo in recent weeks drifted across the region.
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026
But there are others, including many parents, who say young people just need to toughen up and “eat bitterness,” as they did during China’s rise.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026
The union boss said he supported proposals to scrap short sentences for some offenders and toughen up community orders supervised by probation officers.
From BBC ● May 9, 2025
Would you say you use beautiful melodies to soften an acerbic lyric or use acerbic lyrics to toughen up a beautiful melody?
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 4, 2024
The other option is to toughen up, put up this facade.
From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah
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