tough guy
143
4.2
- noun
- /tʌf ɡaɪ/
- Informal
:
tipo duro
- He always tries to act like a tough guy, but he is really quite sensitive.
And most of these kids that think they're tough guys will run.
- And most of these kids that think they're tough guys will run.
- You know, the most of the tough guys that I knew didn't act like tough guys.
- When the brothers come back, they're pretty unruly, tough guy types.
- It's when you act like such a tough guy and then this is what you have to do.
- So I've always really loved, you know, a big tough guy who also was sensitive and promoted that.
- He, he's a, he's a brave guy, but he's not a, a tough guy.
- You know, it wasn't a heroic thing or this like I'm a tough guy.
- He's a PhD and very smart, very much of articulate, strong gentleman, but a tough guy.
- The hospital thing was probably the biggest one because I for my whole life have played this tough guy.
- I, I had, I had very sort of alpha jockey, tough guy man in my life.
- Every wannabe tough guy in the movies on that plane.
- So, you know, MAGA, masculine tough guys, big tough guys.
Examples
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He wants to be a tough guy, like you.
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He's a well-known tough guy, and I do what I can to stay on his good side.
Fiction book (2001) -
My dad was a really tough guy too, like a really tough guy.
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Go ahead, tell me your tough guy story again.
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All right, go for it, tough guy.
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Here you go, tough guy.
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Another example of a really tough guy who got kind of a late start.
Blog text (1) -
I want a British title in Newcastle against a tough guy on a different show.
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I realized I had to become a tough guy to succeed in society.
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My brother thinks he is a tough guy just like Glenn does.
Synonyms
73
8.9
A person who is impressive and tough
20
8.4
A man who seems tough and cool
8
8.1
A man who acts very tough and shows his physical strength
7
7.2
A large strong man who looks tough and ready to fight
5
7.5
A person who is strong and may threaten or hurt others
2
8.4
A man who seems dangerous and people admire or fear
1
8.1
A person who plays a villain in a play or film
1
9.9
A person who uses threats or force to control people for a political group
A man hired to threaten or protect others
A person who uses violence or threats to frighten others
A young person who is violent and often breaks the law
Antonyms
How Intimidating
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a man who acts or appears strong, aggressive, or intimidating' is directly and predictably composed from 'tough' (strong/forceful) + 'guy' (male person). This straightforward adjective+noun pattern is common in English and across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words will generally infer the intended meaning (aside from minor pragmatic or ironic uses).
Etymology
The phrase tough guy comes from the image of a guy who looks physically tough, like someone with a hard face and strong body who tries to scare people. That's why it means 'a man who acts strong or scary'.