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tough luck

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of tough luck

informal
—used in speech to show sympathy for someone who has failed or has been disappointed
  • You lost your job? Oh, tough luck.
 —often used in an ironic way to show that one does not feel sympathy for someone
  • "I need more time to finish the job." "Tough luck. You knew the job was supposed to be done by today."

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Word by Word Definitions

tough play

  1. : difficult to accomplish, resolve, endure, or deal with

  2. : capable of enduring strain, hardship, or severe labor

  3. : unruly, rowdyish

  1. : in a tough manner (see 1tough)

  1. : a tough and violent person : rowdy

  1. : to bear unflinchingly : endure

See the full definition of tough
luck play

  1. : a force that brings good fortune or adversity

  2. : the events or circumstances that operate for or against an individual

  3. : favoring chance

  1. : to prosper or succeed especially through chance or good fortune

  2. : to come upon something desirable by chance

See the full definition of luck

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