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.

Any delay is likely to spark UK frustration, as it has long pressed Berlin to toughen up its rules and enforcement.

From BBC • Oct. 24, 2025

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

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

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2025

But Brave Orchid would not relent; her dainty sister would just have to toughen up.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston