word-vault

{ "term": "tough", "partOfSpeech": "adjective", "ox3000": true, "cefr": "b2", "definitions": [ { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "having or causing problems or difficulties", "sensetop": "tough on somebody", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "a tough childhood" }, { "text": "It was a **tough decision** to make." }, { "text": "During the interview I was asked some really **tough questions**." }, { "text": "Now Karen must make one of the **toughest choices** of her life." }, { "text": "She's been having **a tough time of it** *(= a lot of problems)* lately." }, { "text": "**Times are tough** at the moment." }, { "text": "We've got a tough fight ahead." }, { "text": "He faces the toughest test of his leadership so far." }, { "text": "What was the **toughest job** you ever had?" }, { "text": "a tough task" }, { "text": "It can be tough trying to juggle a career and a family." }, { "text": "He faces tough competition from the rest of the team." }, { "text": "Puberty can be tough on kids.", "contextForm": "tough on somebody" }, { "text": "I knew she was going to be tough to beat." }, { "text": "He may find it tough to pursue his plans." }, { "text": "The strong dollar has made it tough for small businesses." }, { "text": "Things were pretty tough at first." }, { "text": "It's tough out there in the real world." }, { "text": "The next couple of months will be tough, but I'm sure we'll cope." }, { "text": "It's very tough on a child to lose a parent like that." } ], "collocations": { "verbs": ["be", "seem", "get"], "adverb": ["extremely", "fairly", "very"], "preposition": ["on"] } }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "demanding that particular rules be obeyed and showing a lack of sympathy for any problems that this may cause", "sensetop": "tough with somebody/somethingtough on somebody/something", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "It's about time teachers started to **get tough** with bullies.", "contextForm": "tough with somebody/something" }, { "text": "Politicians believe they have to be **tough on crime**.", "contextForm": "tough on somebody/something" }, { "text": "Don't be too tough on him—he was only trying to help." }, { "text": "The school **takes a tough line on** *(= punishes severely)* cheating." }, { "text": "The judge was well known for his **tough stance on** corruption." }, { "text": "**tough** new anti-terror **measures**" }, { "text": "Local traders are calling for tougher action against vandals." }, { "text": "Has the government been tough enough on polluters?" }, { "text": "The government has promised to get tough on crime." }, { "text": "You have to be tough with these young thugs." }, { "text": "There will be tough new controls on car emissions." }, { "text": "We must take a tough stance against terrorism." } ], "topics": ["Permission and obligation"], "collocations": { "verbs": ["be", "become", "get"], "adverb": ["extremely", "fairly", "very"], "preposition": ["on", "with"] } }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "strong enough to deal successfully with difficult conditions or situations", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "a tough breed of cattle" }, { "text": "He's not tough enough for a career in sales." }, { "text": "She’s a **tough cookie/customer** *(= somebody who knows what they want and is not easily influenced by other people)*." }, { "text": "Celine is a fighter, a **tough nut**." }, { "text": "How mentally tough are you?" } ], "topics": ["Personal qualities"], "collocations": { "verbs": ["appear", "be", "feel"], "adverb": ["extremely", "fairly", "very"] } }, { "senseNumber": 4, "definition": "physically strong and likely to be violent", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "You think you're so tough, don't you?" }, { "text": "He plays the **tough guy** in the movie." }, { "text": "Then this guy started acting tough." } ], "collocations": { "verbs": ["appear", "be", "feel"], "adverb": ["extremely", "fairly", "very"] } }, { "senseNumber": 5, "definition": "with a lot of crime or violence", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "She grew up in a tough neighbourhood." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 6, "definition": "difficult to cut or bite on", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "The meat was a bit tough." }, { "text": "Overcooking the burger will make it tough and dry." } ], "topics": ["Cooking and eating"] }, { "senseNumber": 7, "definition": "not easily cut, broken, torn, etc.", "examples": [ { "text": "a tough pair of shoes" }, { "text": "The reptile's skin is tough and scaly." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 8, "definition": "unlucky for somebody in a way that seems unfair", "sensetop": "tough (on somebody)", "labels": "(informal)(ironic)", "examples": [ { "text": "It was tough on her being dropped from the team like that." }, { "text": "‘I can't get it finished in time.’ ‘Tough! *(= I don't feel sorry about it.)*’" } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to be determined and refuse to change your attitude or ideas", "labels": "(North American English, informal)", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "a person who is difficult to deal with or to influence", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "a difficult problem or situation to deal with", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "a person or event that is so good or successful at something that it will be difficult for anyone/anything else coming after them to be as good or successful", "examples": [ { "text": "She has been an excellent principal and will be a hard act to follow." }, { "text": "Their contribution will prove a tough act to follow." } ], "topics": ["Success"] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to tell people very strongly what you want", "labels": "(informal, especially North American English)", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "very strong and able to deal successfully with difficult conditions or situations", "examples": [ { "text": "She’s almost 90 but she’s still as tough as old boots." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "used to show sympathy for somebody that something bad that has happened to", "examples": [ { "text": "‘I failed by one point.’ ‘That's tough luck.’" } ] }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "used to show that you do not feel sorry for somebody who has a problem", "labels": "(ironic)", "examples": [ { "text": "‘If you take the car, I won't be able to go out.’ ‘Tough luck!’" } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "when conditions or progress become difficult (strong and determined people work even harder to succeed)", "labels": "(saying)", "examples": [], "topics": ["Success"] } ], "pronunciations": { "uk": [ { "pronunciation": "/tʌf/", "audio": "to/tough/tough__gb_1.mp3" } ], "us": [ { "pronunciation": "/tʌf/", "audio": "to/tough/tough__us_1.mp3" } ] }, "wordOrigin": "Old English tōh, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch taai and German zäh." }