Tough It Out Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises

Life is rarely smooth sailing. From academic challenges to personal hardships, we often face situations that test our strength and patience. In English, one powerful idiom that captures the essence of enduring difficult situations with resilience is ‘tough it out’. So, upgrade your word and expression list with the latest IELTS Speaking vocabulary to boost your score and sound natural. 

 In this blog post, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom ‘tough it out’ and provide examples from the IELTS exam.

Tough It Out Idiom: Meaning

The idiom ‘tough it out’ means to endure hardship, discomfort, or challenges without giving up. It emphasizes facing difficulties with determination instead of avoiding or escaping them.

The core idea behind this idiom is to push through pain or adversity until the end. While the formal equivalent of ‘tough it out’ is endure or persevere, the informal equivalent is to ‘hang in there’.

Origin of Tough It Out Idiom

The idiom originates from the early 20th century. The word ‘tough’ has long been associated with resilience, strength, and durability. The phrase ‘tough it out’ evolved in American English to describe situations where one must demonstrate stamina or grit.

Initially, it was often used in sports and military contexts where physical and mental strength were tested. Over time, it entered everyday English to describe any form of perseverance, from work stress to emotional struggles.

Tough It Out Idiom Usage

The idiom ‘tough it out’ is not only common in everyday conversations but also extremely useful in academic and professional English settings like the IELTS exam. Given below are some example sentences that show how the ‘tough it out’ idiom can be used appropriately. 

• Although the weather is so harsh, we have to go there before midnight. We must find a way to tough it out.
• Should we tough it out, or should we shut down our businesses?
• It’s a difficult situation, but if we can just tough it out, things are bound to get better soon.
• Despite the cold weather, the marathon runners decided to tough it out until they crossed the finish line.
• She had to tough it out through months of exhausting exam preparation.
• The soldiers were trained to tough it out under extreme conditions.
• During the intense IELTS preparation, students often have to tough it out through long study sessions.
• Even with a twisted ankle, he chose to tough it out and finish the game.

Tough It Out Idiom: Synonyms and Related Phrases

Given below are some phrases and common English words used in IELTS Speaking test related to the idiom, tough it out.

Tough It Out Idiom: Detailed Usage in IELTS Contexts

The idiom ‘tough it out’ can be highly effective in IELTS Speaking tasks where you need to demonstrate vocabulary related to resilience, perseverance, or determination. Let us check out some examples.

IELTS Speaking Part 2

• Cue Card Topic: Describe a time when you faced a difficult situation and how you handled it.
• Answer Excerpt: “Last year, I was preparing for my IELTS exam while also working part-time. It was incredibly stressful, but I decided to tough it out by sticking to a strict schedule. Even though I was exhausted, my perseverance paid off because I managed to get the band score I needed.”

IELTS Speaking Part 3

• Question: Do you think people today give up too easily when facing challenges?
• Answer: “Yes, I believe many people struggle with resilience nowadays. Instead of enduring difficulties, they often look for quick fixes or immediate comfort. In contrast, my grandparents’ generation had to tough it out - whether it was economic hardship, long working hours, or limited resources. That ability to persist without giving up not only built character but also prepared them better for future setbacks.”

Tough It Out Idiom: Practice Exercises

Below you will find some exercises that will help you improve your understanding and application of the idiom ‘tough it out’, allowing for appropriate usage in different contexts.

1 She had to endure months of practice before becoming a skilled pianist.

2 He tried to escape the problem instead of facing it.

3 The workers had to push through difficult conditions to meet the deadline.

4 The students decided to persevere through late-night study sessions before the exam.

5 Which formal phrase can replace ‘tough it out?

A Celebrate the moment

B Endure the hardship 

C Escape responsibility

D Relax and enjoy

6 Which situation best illustrates ‘toughing it out’?

A Leaving a job after the first sign of stress

B Complaining loudly during a difficult task

C Continuing a marathon despite fatigue 

D Avoiding challenges altogether

Tough It Out Idiom: Answer Key for Practice Exercises

To conclude, the idiom ‘tough it out’ expresses the human spirit of endurance and resilience. By mastering its meaning, origin, and contextual usage, you can confidently integrate it into both academic and casual English. So, remember, in life, as in language, there are times when we simply need to tough it out to achieve our goals.

Useful Links:

• Be on Thin Ice Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises 
• Live and Breathe Something Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
• A Self-Made Man Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
• 10 Useful IELTS Speaking Tips to Impress the Examiner
• Useful Resources & Websites for IELTS Vocabulary
• IELTS Speaking Vocabulary - 30 Academic Words That Will Help You Score IELTS Band 9 (Part 1)