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Glite Dictionary
to do it tough

to do it tough

1 8.5
To live through hard times and keep going
  • phrasal verb
  • Australian
translation icon : pasarla difícil
  • If you're willing to do it tough, you will appreciate your success even more.

And I want to acknowledge that you're doing it tough.

Examples

  • Many families have to do it tough during economic downturns.

  • She really did it tough after losing her job but never gave up.

  • He had to do it tough after losing his job.

  • Many people do it tough during economic downturns.

  • Many workers are doing it tough due to the recent economic downturn.

  • After losing her job, she found herself doing it tough while looking for new employment.

  • Families in the area are doing it tough, struggling to pay their bills and make ends meet.

Synonyms

to struggle
vsto do it tough
851 2.8

To try very hard to do or deal with something difficult

places more weight on living through hardship than on effort alone
to endure
vsto do it tough
304 3.5

To deal with something difficult for a long time without giving up

focuses on enduring hard times with steady perseverance
to cope
vsto do it tough
272 2.9

To deal with problems and difficult situations

focuses more on simply living through difficult circumstances
to have a hard time
vsto do it tough
241 3.7

Find something difficult to do

adds the idea of enduring those difficulties through perseverance
to hang in
vsto do it tough
  • Informal
167 3.6

To keep trying and not give up when things are hard

is about staying through rough situations with endurance
to withstand
vsto do it tough
122 4.2

To resist strong or harmful force without breaking

covers general hardship endurance rather than physical resistance
to suck it up
vsto do it tough
  • Informal
81 8.8

Accept a difficult situation and continue without complaining

focuses more on long-term endurance and persistent effort
to push through
vsto do it tough
39 3.6

To keep going despite problems until you finish

stresses living through hard circumstances rather than just effort
to persevere
vsto do it tough
22 5.1

Keep trying to do something even when it is hard

leans more toward surviving hard conditions rather than goal pursuit
to take it on the chin
vsto do it tough
  • Informal
7 8.2

Accept failure or criticism bravely without complaining

is about facing hard circumstances with sustained perseverance
to bear up
vsto do it tough
5 4.4

To stay strong and positive when facing hard times

emphasizes ongoing endurance through hardship rather than just morale
to take a licking and keep on ticking
vsto do it tough
  • Archaic
1 9.2

To keep going without giving up after facing many hard times

is similar but centers on personal perseverance through hardship
to push through adversity
vsto do it tough
5.3

To keep trying and do well despite difficult times

emphasizes endurance itself rather than guaranteed success
to keep on pushing through
vsto do it tough
  • Informal
5.1

To continue to try hard even when things are difficult

is broader, highlighting living through hardship as well as persisting
to weather the challenge
vsto do it tough
7.0

Manage to get through a difficult situation

emphasizes living through difficulty even when success is not implied
to go through the wringer
vsto do it tough
  • Informal
7.6

To experience a very difficult and stressful time

is about enduring hard conditions with ongoing perseverance
to ride with the punches
vsto do it tough
  • Informal
7.2

To accept and adapt to difficult times without giving up

focuses more on sticking with hardship steadily rather than adapting

Antonyms

to give up
∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

to quit
653 1.5

To stop trying when something is too hard

How Hard

to suffer
∞ 2.0
to do it tough
  • Australian
1 8.5
to struggle
851 2.8
to get by
121 3.1

Surface Forms

do it tough infinitive
did it tough past
done it tough past participle
doing it tough present participle
does it tough third person singular

Morphology

do + it + tough

The constituents 'do' (manage/fare) and 'tough' (difficult) give a clear clue that the phrase means to manage or endure difficulty, so a learner who knows the words can often infer the general sense. However, the grammatical shape ('do it tough') is colloquial/regionally marked and uses 'tough' in a non-standard modifier role with a vague pronoun 'it', so the exact nuance and acceptability are not fully predictable without exposure.

Etymology

The phrase do it tough comes from the image of someone who must do things while conditions are tough, for example carrying a heavy load or living with very little. So, it means 'to experience hard times' and keep going.