The spelling of the phrase "make tough" is straightforward, with each word following standard English orthography rules. "Make" is pronounced /meɪk/ in IPA, with the long "a" and hard "k" sound, while "tough" is pronounced /tʌf/ with a short "u" and the "gh" silent. Both words are commonly used separately or together to describe the act of making something sturdy or resilient, such as making tough decisions or making a tough material.
The phrase "make tough" refers to the action of causing or intensifying difficulty, adversity, or challenge in a particular situation or circumstance. It encompasses the ability or process of making something demanding, arduous, or laborious. Whether it pertains to personal, professional, or social contexts, making tough often involves introducing elements or circumstances that require increased effort, resilience, or determination.
This act can involve various actions such as imposing stricter regulations or laws, implementing stringent procedures or requirements, raising the bar in terms of expectations, or creating challenging circumstances. Making tough can also refer to exerting disciplinary measures or setting harder standards to achieve in order to test someone's abilities or character. It is often associated with deliberating the consequences of tough decisions or choices, whereby individuals or groups must accept the challenge and face the difficulties head-on.
Furthermore, the idea of making tough may also encompass the process of adapting or adjusting to difficult conditions or situations, whether they are self-imposed or externally imposed. It can involve developing personal strength, resilience, or determination to overcome obstacles or push one's limits.
Overall, the phrase "make tough" encapsulates the act, process, or impact of introducing or intensifying difficulty, adversity, or challenge in a given scenario, which often necessitates increased effort or perseverance to overcome and succeed.
The phrase "make tough" does not have a specific etymology, as it is a combination of two separate words. However, we can look at the origins of each word individually.
1. Make: The word "make" comes from the Middle English word "maken" which originated from the Old English word "macian". It is related to the Dutch word "maken" and the German word "machen". Ultimately, it can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "makon".
2. Tough: The word "tough" comes from the Middle English word "tough" or "togh", which is related to the Old English word "tōh" or "toh". The origin of "tough" is uncertain, but it could be derived from Old Norse "togu" (a cognate of "tug"), which means "tight" or "strong".