feel tough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel tough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of strength, resilience, or confidence in oneself or a situation. Example: "After completing the challenging workout, I really started to feel tough and ready to take on anything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

As a teen, I didn't feel tough enough to be a punk.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Things may feel tough for students these days, but in truth my greatest concern shouldn't be – and isn't – for myself.

The Guardian

Is picturing our fallen troops as a field of steadfast — the most steadfast — tin soldiers supposed to make us feel tough?

The New Yorker

With more qualified graduates leaving university and people going to greater lengths to get their CV noticed, the marketplace can feel tough for those in search of a job.

Independent

What Henry Jackson, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Ariel Sharon, Benjamin Netanyahu and George W. Bush have in common is that they enabled bookish men to feel tough, beautifully, enviably tough.

The New York Times - Magazine

Following a strong share price performance, and looking ahead to the second quarter trading update, we feel tough year-on-year comparatives (Euro 2012) and a potentially weaker UK retail performance could mean the shares pause for breath.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

They feel tougher than Texas.

The New York Times

BBC health correspondent Branwen Jeffreys said many doctors would feel tougher sanctions simply added another layer of regulation.

BBC

Gritting your teeth multiple times a day against cold, exhaustion, altitude sickness, latrine stench, the beating sun, all made us feel tougher and better at handling whatever hardships were thrown at us in general".

Vice

Guaranteed to make you feel tougher and hotter and prepare you for dancing the night away, The Naked And Famous have a fun pop-based sound with loud guitars and light, dancey keyboard notes thrown in the mix.

Vice

I felt tough.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel tough" to describe a state of mental or physical resilience after overcoming a challenge. For example, "After finishing the marathon, I really felt tough."

Common error

Avoid using "feel tough" in highly formal writing where more precise or sophisticated vocabulary might be appropriate. Overusing it in casual conversation can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel tough" functions primarily as a descriptive expression, indicating a subjective experience of strength or resilience. As Ludwig AI indicates, the expression is grammatically correct. Examples show it describing personal feelings after overcoming a challenge or possessing a desired quality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

24%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel tough" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a sense of strength or resilience, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, it conveys a subjective experience of fortitude after facing challenges. While versatile, it is best used in neutral to informal settings. Alternatives such as "feel strong" or "feel resilient" can offer nuances for different contexts. Be mindful of overusing it in overly casual conversation or highly formal writing where more specific vocabulary may be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel resilient

Replaces "tough" with "resilient", focusing on the ability to recover quickly from difficulties.

feel strong

Substitutes "tough" with "strong", emphasizing physical or emotional power.

feel sturdy

Uses "sturdy" instead of "tough", suggesting a sense of solidness and stability.

feel hardy

Replaces "tough" with "hardy", highlighting the capacity to endure difficult conditions.

feel durable

Uses "durable" to express the ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage.

feel unyielding

Suggests inflexibility and firmness in the face of opposition, instead of "feel tough".

feel robust

Replaces "tough" with "robust", focusing on overall health and vigor.

feel capable

Emphasizes a sense of competence and ability to handle challenges.

feel empowered

Highlights a sense of control and authority, shifting the focus to personal agency.

feel fortified

Replaces "tough" with "fortified", emphasizing a strengthening or reinforcing process.

FAQs

What does it mean to "feel tough"?

To "feel tough" means to experience a sense of strength, resilience, or confidence, often in response to facing a challenge or hardship. It can refer to both physical and emotional fortitude.

How can I use "feel tough" in a sentence?

You can use "feel tough" to describe how someone feels after overcoming an obstacle. For example, "She "felt tough" after standing up for herself".

What can I say instead of "feel tough"?

You can use alternatives like "feel strong", "feel resilient", or "feel empowered", depending on the context.

Is it more common to say "feel tough" or "felt tough"?

The choice between "feel tough" and "felt tough" depends on the tense of the sentence. "Feel tough" is used in the present tense, while "felt tough" is used in the past tense. Both are common and grammatically correct.