hang tough

Idioms  

1. Remain firmly resolved, as in We're going to hang tough on this point and not give in. This slangy idiom uses tough in the sense of “aggressively unyielding,” a usage dating from the first half of the 1900s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hang tough

Djokovic proved he could still hang tough with the next generation over five sets when he recovered to beat Alcaraz on Tuesday.

From BBC ● Jan. 24, 2025

But even in defeat, the Trojans showed they could hang tough with a potential Big Ten power.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 4, 2025

Morgan State: With leading scorer Wynston Tabbs injured, the Bears were still able to hang tough in a rare opportunity against a ranked team at home.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 22, 2023

Despite their absences, the Spartans were able to hang tough on the road against a ranked opponent — and throw a little chaos in the Big Ten West race.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 5, 2022

That’s why we could hang tough when we hung together, and why when things broke down and one brother or sister showed wrong we came down so hard.

From "Slam!" by Walter Dean Myers