make it tough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make it tough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to creating a challenging situation or making something more difficult. Example: "If we want to improve our skills, we need to make it tough for ourselves during practice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unfortunately, the sullied reputation of its founder may make it tough to get off the ground.

TechCrunch

Its location and amenities make it tough to beat.

Forbes

"They make it tough".

The New York Times - Sports

The conditions make it tough.

The Guardian

"We know Inter will make it tough for us.

The New York Times - Sports

We wanted to make it tough and ugly".

The New York Times - Sports

It can make it tough on opposing pitchers".

The New York Times - Sports

"My eye lines make it tough for me".

The New York Times - Sports

Now that will make it tough on everybody.

The Washington Post

We tried to make it tough on those guys.

The New York Times - Sports

It was time to make it tough on them".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing strategies in competitive scenarios, use "make it tough" to convey the intent of creating difficulties for opponents. For example: "Our goal is to make it tough for them to score."

Common error

Avoid using "make it tough" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary like "complicate" or "exacerbate" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it tough" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where 'make' is the main verb and 'it tough' serves as the object complement. This construction is used to express the act of creating challenging or difficult conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sports

34%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make it tough" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to describe actions that create challenging or difficult conditions. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, it is widely accepted in written English. It's most frequently found in news and sports contexts, indicating its use in describing competitive scenarios or challenging situations. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or highly professional settings. Understanding its nuances and potential substitutes can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make it challenging

Replaces "tough" with a synonym, emphasizing the demanding nature of the situation.

make it difficult

Similar to "make it challenging", focusing on the level of effort required.

make things harder

A more informal way of expressing increased difficulty.

heighten the difficulty

More formal, emphasizing an increase in the existing level of challenge.

complicate matters

Shifts the focus to adding complexity to a situation.

pose a challenge

Focuses on presenting an obstacle or difficulty.

exacerbate the problem

Highlights a worsening of an already problematic situation.

present an obstacle

Similar to "pose a challenge", specifically referring to something that hinders progress.

increase the pressure

Emphasizes the added stress or strain on someone or something.

raise the bar

Implies setting a higher standard of difficulty or achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "make it tough" in a sentence?

You can use "make it tough" to describe actions that create difficulty for someone or something. For example: "The defense will try to make it tough for the quarterback to pass".

What's a more formal alternative to "make it tough"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "complicate matters" or "heighten the difficulty" instead of "make it tough".

Is it appropriate to use "make it tough" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "make it tough" might be too informal for academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language depending on the context.

What does it mean to "make it tough" on someone?

To "make it tough" on someone means to create challenging or difficult circumstances for them, hindering their progress or success.