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.
City Section teams continue to struggle against Southern Section opponents in nonleague games, but many are using the strategy Birmingham has used for years to toughen up before league play begins.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 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
It said low-interest shareholder loans should not be excluded from the scope of the rules, and that changes made in February to toughen up the regulations also breached competition law.
From BBC • Nov. 22, 2024
Ministers are interested in proposals to toughen up community orders as an alternative to jail, to reduce the number of offenders in prisons.
From BBC • Oct. 10, 2024
Once I even caught him talking to them, telling this sickly-looking fern that it better toughen up if it wanted to make it in the world.
From "Miracle's Boys" by Jacqueline Woodson
