talk tough
phrase
: to say that one will act in a forceful and aggressive way
When the subject is national security, all the candidates talk tough.
—often + onThe new mayor talks tough on crime.
Cite this Entry
“Talk tough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talk%20tough. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
