be tough on

idiom

: causing stress or worry to (someone)

This year has been tough on our family.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

While static plank holds can be tough on their own, Mitchell added movement to the ab-torching exercise by placing her feet on a slider and navigating her body through space while maintaining tension and control in her core. —Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 25 Jan. 2023

The powerful computing chips in game consoles, for instance, require an array of rare minerals and refined materials whose extraction can be tough on the environment and on human life. —Daniel Starkey, Ars Technica, 4 Sep. 2022

Its lightweight and ergonomic handle makes this frother all the more desirable, as holding an uncomfortable device for too long can be tough on the wrist. —Alyssa Brascia, PEOPLE.com, 21 July 2022

Running the Indianapolis 500 (May 29), Detroit doubleheader (June 4-5) and Road America (June 12) on consecutive weekends would be tough on teams. —Dave Kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2021

That will be tough on this loaded offense, but he’s developed into a bona fide red zone threat. —cleveland, 14 Aug. 2021

As Pratt has reported, the mayor has been known to be tough on staff and confrontational with critics, contributing to significant staff turnover. —Lisa Donovan, chicagotribune.com, 30 June 2021

The cleaning and care products were created with advice from doctors to be tough on grime and safe for people with allergies and sensitive of skin. —oregonlive, 21 Apr. 2021

Temperatures are not likely to cool in Washington, either, given the consensus across the aisle to be tough on China and hardening American public perceptions. —Nectar Gan, CNN, 8 Mar. 2023

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