tougher

tougher on (someone or something)

More strict, stern, or severe with someone or something. You need to get a little tougher on your kids, or they're never going to respect your authority. The new administration promised to be tougher on crime than ever before. I know you think we're tougher on you than most parents, but we just want to see you reach your full potential.
See also: on, tougher

tougher than a two-dollar steak

1. Very physically strong and resilient. Marty has played in 500 straight games without so much as a sprained ankle—he's tougher than a two-dollar steak. My grandfather still does a lot of physical labor around the family farm, so he's tougher than a two-dollar steak.
2. Very emotionally or mentally strong and resilient, especially in the face of adversity. We need someone who is tougher than a two-dollar steak at the head of the company when times get rough. The tragedy has been really hard on our whole family, but my wife has been tougher than a two-dollar steak throughout it all.
See also: steak, tougher
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • tougher on (someone or something)
  • tough on
  • tough on (someone or something)
  • get tough on (someone or something)
  • be tough on (someone or something)
  • get tough with
  • get tough with (someone)
  • have a tight grip on (someone or something)
  • have a tight rein on (someone or something)
  • keep a tight grip on (someone or something)
References in classic literature
He must have been, indeed, of a tougher fibre than he looked to withstand without expiring such buffetings, the violence of his exertions, and so much fear.
Amy Foster
"We, the new, the nameless, the hard-to-understand,"--it says there,--"we firstlings of a yet untried future--we require for a new end also a new means, namely, a new healthiness, stronger, sharper, tougher, bolder and merrier than all healthiness hitherto.
Thus Spake Zarathustra
Mind you, I don't say this will be the tougher job all round; we shall probably get in without any difficulty at all; it's the getting out again that may flummox us.
The Amateur Cracksman
The sensation of unappeasable hunger, not unknown after the strain of a hazardous enterprise to adventurers of tougher fibre than Mr Verloc, overcame him again.
The Secret Agent
So he spoke to his familiars, who had tougher skins than the rest:
The Country Doctor
Skilled benefits design means that the long-term care industry must truly become smarter and faster, and will help it survive an environment that is becoming tougher and tougher.
Designing benefits to survive in today's business environment
Consumer trash liners can be made both thinner and tougher with new Dowlex NG 2085, according to the company.
High-performance PEs for packaging
Synopsis: A clear majority, 67% of Americans, supported tougher gun laws in a March poll, the highest level since 1993.
In the News: Key Insights Into Americans' Views on Guns
Morgan Stanley analyst Betsy Graseck said she had expected an easier stress test from the Federal Reserve but that the 2018 CCAR test actually seems tougher than last year, given the more intense recessions and lower asset prices modeled in it.
BofA, JPMorgan, Citi best positioned for tougher CCAR test, says Morgan Stanley
Summary: Islamabad [Pakistan], Aug.12 (ANI): Parliament needs to make the existing Blasphemy Law tougher to prevent its misuse, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has said.
Make blasphemy law tougher to check its misuse, says Islamabad HC
Global Banking News-July 19, 2017--Kenyan central bank official wants tougher actions against rogue banks
Kenyan central bank official wants tougher actions against rogue banks
Manchester City do not fear Barcelona and says playing at Stoke can be tougher.
KOMPANY: STOKE CAN BE TOUGHER THAN BARCA; No tougher than Stoke says Vince
Global Banking News-March 17, 2011--FSA says stress tests on UK banks would be tougher than EU tests(C)2011 ENPublishing - http://www.enpublishing.co.uk
-FSA says stress tests on UK banks would be tougher than EU tests
THE Government is planning to get tougher on local councils carrying out road works, with stricter rules on safety and signposting.
Getting tougher on road works
I AGREE tougher security measures regarding body scanning equipment at airports will be somewhat intrusive and may warrant an infringement on indecency.
We need better airport security; Your Say