get tough on
idiomatic phrase
: to deal harshly with
Greece promised last week to get tough on tax evasion …—
Alan Clendenning
Alan ClendenningEnvironmental groups and health agencies such as the American Lung Association have pushed lawmakers to get tough on polluters and enact stricter smog limits …—Melissa Knopper
Melissa Knopper"… For a long time in the United States, the politics around law and order have been, get tough on crime. … "—Paul Butler
Paul ButlerExamples of get tough on in a Sentence
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Image Since becoming Conservative leader in 2022, Mr. Poilievre has campaigned on a traditional Conservative message of lower taxes, smaller government and personal freedom, as well as easing regulations for the oil industry and getting tough on crime.
—Norimitsu Onishi, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Activist investor gets tough on Portillo’s amid national expansion
Want more vintage Chicago?
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Conversely, the United States should get tougher on the subset of Iraqi elites who harm their country’s interests by aligning with Iran.
—Michael Knights, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2025
Given bipartisan political pressure in Washington to get tough on China over fentanyl, addressing this issue before formal trade negotiations would be tactically smart.
—Myron Brilliant, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025
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Norimitsu Onishi, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Activist investor gets tough on Portillo’s amid national expansion
Want more vintage Chicago?
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Conversely, the United States should get tougher on the subset of Iraqi elites who harm their country’s interests by aligning with Iran.
—Michael Knights, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2025
Given bipartisan political pressure in Washington to get tough on China over fentanyl, addressing this issue before formal trade negotiations would be tactically smart.
—Myron Brilliant, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for get tough on
Cite this Entry
“Get tough on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%20tough%20on. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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