Dictionary

toughie en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /ˈtʌfi/

Etymology

From tough + -ie.

Meanings

1. (informal) Something that is tough, or difficult.
   • His question is a toughie. I might have to do some more research.
2. Someone or something that is strong and resilient.
   • Sansevieria and aspidistra are two old houseplant toughies that make good indoor choices. 1977 October, Gladys Reed Robinson, “Two Old Houseplant Toughies”, in Organic Gardening and Farming, volume 24, page 170:
   • His eyes were red, but his lashes were not beaded with fresh tears. He was something, this little toughie. 2017, Dean Koontz, The Silent Corner, page 84:
   • With typical courage she had taken hold of her life and changed it for the better. She always was a brave little toughie, and now her courage had paid off. 1996, Kathleen Rowntree, Laurie and Claire, page 319:
3. A tough; Someone or something that acts as a thug or bully.
   • Often I don't even have a partner when I make my rounds as a patrol cop, because of city budget constraints. But when the toughie is armed or there are too many toughies, l have to call for a backup before I make a move. 2012, Jules Lombard, Sons, Daughters and Wine Tasters, page 11:
   • But we knew she would follow how and why my student and I would immediately detect the similarity in our situation from the studied calmness we had both displayed toward the havoc roused by the toughies to intimidate the new female temporary teacher. 2001, Min-Zhan Lu, Shanghai Quartet: The Crossings of Four Women of China, page 249:
   • There was Butch behind the bar, and there sat four of the toughies at their table with their heads all close together and not drunk no more. 2012, Tom Powers, Virgin With Butterflies:
   • The liberal states, in the present situation, are the "softies"; the Fascist states are the "toughies". And the toughies are always able to get away with "murder" until the softies become tough. 1936 April, “Hitler and Mussolini Win Again”, in The Modern Monthly, volume 9, number 9, page 3:

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