The word "were tough" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /wər tʌf/. The first sound is the "w" sound, which is a voiced labio-velar approximant. The next sound is the "ər" sound, which is a schwa followed by an "r" sound. The final sound is the "tʌf" sound, which is a voiceless alveolar plosive followed by a voiced labiodental fricative. Together, these sounds create the word "were tough" which means something that was difficult or resilient.
"Were tough" is a colloquial expression that refers to a situation or experience that was challenging, difficult, or demanding in nature. The phrase combines the auxiliary verb "were," which indicates past tense, with the adjective "tough," meaning strong or resilient. Together, they convey the notion that the subject or circumstances faced were arduous or challenging.
When used in ordinary conversation, "were tough" can describe various scenarios, such as difficult tasks, challenging assignments, or demanding situations. It implies that the obstacles or circumstances involved required a significant amount of effort, determination, or resilience to overcome or endure.
The phrase can also apply to encounters involving emotional or psychological endurance. For example, someone may say, "Those times were tough" in reference to a period of personal hardship, emotional distress, or obstacles they faced in their life. It emphasizes the severity or difficulty of the situation or period being described.
Overall, "were tough" conveys the sense of encountering something that was not easy to tackle, often requiring strength, perseverance, or fortitude. It is an informal expression that encapsulates the challenges, trials, or demanding nature of a given circumstance, experience, or time frame.
The phrase "were tough" is not a standalone word or term. "Were" is the past tense of the verb "to be" (as used with the pronouns "we", "you", or "they"), and "tough" is an adjective meaning strong or resilient. It is difficult to determine the exact etymology of this combination as it is a simple past tense verb followed by an adjective.