tough heart

USAGE SUMMARY

Technically, "tough heart" can be used in written English, but it is likely to be considered an informal phrase and won't be suitable for all contexts. It can be used to refer to a person with a strong emotional resolve, such as someone who is emotionally strong in the face of a difficult situation. For example, "She had a tough heart; no matter what life threw at her, she never stopped believing."

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A handful of young female rappers balance out the city's tough heart, including Katie Got Bandz and Sasha Go Hard.

The New York Times - Arts

Among them are "a straight heart or a gay heart," "a gentle heart or a passionate heart," "a simple heart or a complicated heart," "a happy heart or a grumpy heart" and "a sweet heart or a tough heart".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He has as tough a heart as you will find.

The New York Times - Sports

The big, tough, purposeful heart that beats throughout the evening belongs only to Joan.

The Guardian

Well, that's a tough old heart, and I'm not sure the Chinese are ready to crack it yet.

The New Yorker

I also add a splash of wine to the water in the pan, which steams and softens the artichoke's tough, fibrous heart.

The New York Times

Like the anti-Springsteen, she delivers glorious, over-the-top twang-drenched ballads that both romanticise her native New Jersey and yet still throw in a tough, dark heart of country noir.

BBC

You are either Christina Yang, a world-renowned genius, overachiever, kick-ass, tough battler, heart surgeon who is unstoppable, forcefully respected and gets job offers based on her reputation despite her age and relatively young career... or you are everyone else: Successful enough, but not as glamorous nor as successful.

Huffington Post

The consequences of violence are what John Edgar Wideman has interrogated for decades in his tough but heart-rending books, returning repeatedly to the subject of his own African American family.

The Guardian - Books

"We are used to winning week in, week out, so we'll be looking at this as another game we can show what we can do and make it tough for Hearts".

BBC

"I consider getting promotion a huge success but for us to do it this year would be very very tough". With Hearts running away with the league, Houston reckons there is already only one route remaining to the top flight, via the play-offs.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tough heart" to describe a character who has faced significant adversity and has become emotionally resilient as a result. The phrase works well in both fiction and non-fiction contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "tough heart" too frequently, as it can become cliché. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms or descriptive sentences to convey the same meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough heart" functions primarily as a descriptive term, modifying the noun "heart" to indicate a characteristic of resilience or emotional fortitude. As Ludwig AI's analysis points out, while informal, the phrase conveys a clear meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tough heart" is an acceptable, although somewhat informal, phrase used to describe emotional resilience or a hardened disposition. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is more common in news and media contexts, though other authoritative sources also use it. While grammatically sound, it is important to consider the context and audience when using this phrase, as more formal alternatives may be appropriate in some situations. Remember to not overuse the phrase to avoid sounding repetitive. Be mindful about the possible negative connotations of lacking empathy, if that's not the case be specific with your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resilient spirit

Emphasizes the ability to recover quickly from difficulties; focuses on the positive aspect of bouncing back.

strong emotional core

Emphasizes inner strength and stability in the face of emotional challenges.

emotional fortitude

Stresses the strength to withstand emotional pain or adversity; more formal.

unflinching spirit

Highlights a spirit that does not waver or show fear in the face of adversity.

unyielding resolve

Highlights a firm determination and unwillingness to give in; focuses on willpower.

battle-hardened heart

Implies that the heart has become tough as a result of repeated exposure to difficult or traumatic experiences.

calloused emotions

Suggests that emotions have become dulled over time due to repeated exposure to hardship.

impenetrable spirit

Focuses on a spirit that is difficult to influence or affect emotionally.

hardened soul

Suggests a heart made unfeeling by harsh experiences; a more negative connotation.

stony heart

Implies a lack of compassion and empathy; more figurative and negative.

FAQs

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

You can use "tough heart" to describe someone who is emotionally resilient, like: "Despite all the hardships she faced, she maintained a "tough heart"."

What is an alternative to saying someone has a "tough heart"?

Alternatives include phrases like "resilient spirit", "hardened soul", or "emotional fortitude", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "tough heart" grammatically correct?

Yes, "tough heart" is grammatically correct, although it's more of an informal phrase. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "unyielding resolve" for a more sophisticated tone.

What does it mean when someone is described as having a "tough heart"?

It typically means the person is emotionally strong and resilient, able to withstand difficult situations without becoming overwhelmed. However, it can sometimes imply a lack of empathy if used in a negative context.