toughie

English

Alternative forms

• toughy

Etymology

From tough +‎ -ie.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈtʌfi/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ʌfi

Noun

toughie (plural toughies)

1. (informal) Something that is tough, or difficult.

   His question is a toughie. I might have to do some more research.

2. Someone or something that is strong and resilient.
   • 1977 October, Gladys Reed Robinson, “Two Old Houseplant Toughies”, in Organic Gardening and Farming, volume 24, page 170:

     Sansevieria and aspidistra are two old houseplant toughies that make good indoor choices.

   • 1996, Kathleen Rowntree, Laurie and Claire, page 319:

     With typical courage she had taken hold of her life and changed it for the better. She always was a brave little toughie, and now her courage had paid off.

   • 2017, Dean Koontz, The Silent Corner, page 84:

     His eyes were red, but his lashes were not beaded with fresh tears. He was something, this little toughie.

3. A tough; Someone or something that acts as a thug or bully.
   • 1936 April, “Hitler and Mussolini Win Again”, in The Modern Monthly, volume 9, number 9, page 3:

     The liberal states, in the present situation, are the "softies"; the Fascist states are the "toughies". And the toughies are always able to get away with "murder" until the softies become tough.

   • 2001, Min-Zhan Lu, Shanghai Quartet: The Crossings of Four Women of China, page 249:

     But we knew she would follow how and why my student and I would immediately detect the similarity in our situation from the studied calmness we had both displayed toward the havoc roused by the toughies to intimidate the new female temporary teacher.

   • 2012, Tom Powers, Virgin With Butterflies:

     There was Butch behind the bar, and there sat four of the toughies at their table with their heads all close together and not drunk no more.

   • 2012, Jules Lombard, Sons, Daughters and Wine Tasters, page 11:

     Often I don't even have a partner when I make my rounds as a patrol cop, because of city budget constraints. But when the toughie is armed or there are too many toughies, l have to call for a backup before I make a move.

Translations

something that is tough