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.

Cyber security - Originally announced in Labour's first King's Speech, in July 2024, this much delayed piece of legislation is designed to toughen up protections for critical infrastructure and supply chains.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

You've got to toughen up and get on with it, but you know, the senior boys were great...

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

A tribunal then ruled low-interest shareholder loans should not be excluded from the scope of the APTs, and that changes made to toughen up the regulations also breached competition law.

From BBC • Sep. 8, 2025

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

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