toughen up

toughen up

1. To become more determined, uncompromising, stoic, resilient, strong-willed, etc. You've really got to toughen up if you want to make it in this industry. There's no room for cowards or pushovers! It was just a joke—toughen up, kid!
2. To cause someone to become more determined, uncompromising, stoic, resilient, strong-willed, etc. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "toughen" and "up." I know you think I'm hard on you, but I'm just trying to toughen you up before you go off into the real world on your own. I was really sensitive to criticism, but performing standup comedy toughened me up real quick. We're hoping this training course will toughen up the new interns.
See also: up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

toughen someone or something up

to cause someone or something to be stronger, more uncompromising, or more severe. A few days behind the service counter at the dis count store will toughen her up quickly. Having to deal with complaints toughened up the clerk quickly. She tried to toughen the skin on her palms up.
See also: up

toughen up

to become tougher, stronger, or more severe. She will toughen up after a while. You have to be tough around here to survive. You are going to have to toughen up if you want to play on the team.
See also: up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • be a man
  • (old) battle-ax(e)
  • battle-ax
  • old battle-axe
  • sterner
  • be made of sterner stuff
  • made of sterner stuff
  • iron fist
  • an iron fist
  • an iron fist/hand
References in periodicals archive
"I don't think we are soft," he insisted - but then conceded: "But, yes, we need to toughen up. In some games we were caught."
GET TOUGH; Wenger orders stars to show more bottle for shot at title next season
The Local Government Association (LGA) is calling on the government to toughen up legislation in the Localism Bill, currently going through Parliament, which would make the registered keeper of a car liable for littering offences in the same way they are for speeding tickets or fly-tipping.
Call to tackle law on car litter louts
Creative Nail Design Toughen Up, pounds 10 Strengthens and toughens the nail while forming a sticky base to anchor polish.
To the test... Nail protectors
The conditioning process will help to toughen up his feet but there are limits.
4-legged runners
If I shoot enough, my ears will toughen up. That hoary myth was appearing in print 30 years ago-- and some people still believe it.
You're Boneheaded And Stupid, That's Why
He said: "I had to toughen up quick when I arrived here.
Football: Espen's put Baard days behind him; He's out to be No1forkeeps
All of these "preventive" measures ultimately lengthen the time it takes the skin to toughen up. Some people's skin never toughens; for them, these are necessary measures.
Foot care for pointe shoes
"I saw it as a natural way of creating aggression and making sure they would toughen up.
How Gullit sorted men from boys
London, May 22 (ANI): Actress Naomi Watts was ordered off to boot camp to 'toughen up' for her upcoming spy movie 'Fair Game'.
Naomi Watts was sent to boot camp to 'toughen up' for spy movie
ROBIN VAN PERSIE maintains Arsenal need to "toughen up" next season.
Gunners must get 'tough'
ARSENE WENGER has warned new French defender Pascal Cygan he will need to toughen up for the rigours of the Premiership.
Football: CYGAN GETS TOUGH TALK FROM WENGER
The plans also give unmarried fathers greater parental responsibility and toughen up the law on domestic violence.
Divorce laws shake-up will add to splits
I told the game company to toughen up the baddies," says Anthony.
MEGA MIRROR: WINKS IS A WINNER