when the going gets tough

idiom

Definition of when the going gets tough

: when it becomes difficult to continue or to make progress What will you do when the going gets tough?

Learn More about when the going gets tough

Dictionary Entries near when the going gets tough

when the chips are down

when the going gets tough

when the going gets tough, the tough get going

when the need arises

when you're hot, you're hot

Statistics for when the going gets tough

Look-up Popularity

Comments on when the going gets tough

What made you want to look up when the going gets tough? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

wherewithal

means, resources, or money

Test Your Vocabulary

Homophone Quiz

In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a ______.

pol pole
poal poll

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games