get tough with
Become harsh, severe, unyielding with someone. For example, We have to get tough with these people or we'll get nowhere. [c. 1930]
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RELATED WORDS
differ, squabble, bicker, tangle, carp, wrangle, feud, spar, argue, complain, divide, bump, embroil, vary, disapprove, hassle, battle, row, contend, contest
Nearby words
- get to one's feet,
- get to the bottom of,
- get to the heart of,
- get to the point,
- get together,
- get under one's skin,
- get under someone's skin,
- get up,
- get up on the wrong side of bed,
- get up on the wrong side of the bed
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.