Toughen sth up Meaning & Examples: How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Toughen sth up” Mean?

“Toughen sth up” means to make something stronger, more durable, or more resistant, either physically or mentally.

Introduction

The phrasal verb “toughen sth up” is often used when talking about making objects, materials, or even people more resilient or hardier. Whether it’s strengthening a piece of leather, improving someone’s attitude, or preparing equipment for harsh conditions, this phrase fits well. Understanding the Toughen sth up meaning helps learners use it correctly in everyday conversations and writing. It’s a practical phrase that appears in many contexts, from casual talks to professional advice.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: toughen sth up (toughen something up)
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B2
• Short meaning: To make something stronger or more durable

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Toughen sth up” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object between the verb and the particle or after the particle.

• toughen something up
• toughen up something

Examples:

• They need to toughen the leather up before using it.
• We should toughen up the equipment before the trip.

How to Use Toughen sth up?

Use “toughen sth up” when you want to describe making an object or person stronger or more resilient. It can be physical toughness or mental toughness. The phrase fits well in discussions about preparation, improvement, or training. It often appears in instructions, advice, or descriptions of processes.

Examples

Imagine you want to prepare your shoes for hiking. You might say:

• We need to toughen the soles up before the long walk.
• The coach told the players to toughen their minds up for the competition.
• The factory process toughens the plastic up to make it last longer.
• She worked hard to toughen her skin up against the cold weather.
• Using special treatments can toughen the fabric up effectively.

These examples show how “toughen sth up in a sentence” fits naturally in various contexts.

Common Mistakes

Sometimes learners confuse the word order or use the phrase incorrectly. For example:

• Incorrect: Toughen up the leather.
• Correct: Toughen the leather up.

Remember, “toughen up” alone usually means to become mentally stronger and does not take an object. When you want to talk about making something tougher, always include the object between or after the verb and particle.

Differences / Synonyms

“Toughen sth up” is similar to “harden,” “strengthen,” and “reinforce,” but there are differences:

• Harden: Usually refers to making something physically hard or solid.
• Strengthen: A broader term for making stronger, not always physical.
• Reinforce: To add support or extra strength.

“Toughen sth up” often implies making something resistant to damage or difficulties, sometimes through a process or training.

Common Collocations

You will often see “toughen sth up” used with these objects:

• Leather: To make it more durable.
• Skin: To make it less sensitive or tougher.
• Materials: To improve strength and resistance.
• Equipment: To prepare for harsh conditions.
• Attitude/Spirit: To make a person mentally tougher.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of toughen sth up:

• Toughen Sb Up

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a simple conversation using “toughen sth up”:

Anna: The hiking boots feel too soft for the rocky trail.

Ben: Yeah, we should toughen them up with some special treatment before we go.

Anna: Good idea! That will help them last longer.

Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “toughen sth up”:

• We need to _______ the tires _______ before the race.
• She tried to _______ her skin _______ against the cold weather.
• The company is working to _______ the materials _______ for industrial use.

FAQ

• Q: Can “toughen up” be used without an object?
  Yes, “toughen up” alone means to become mentally stronger.
• Q: Is “toughen sth up” formal or informal?
  It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
• Q: Can “toughen sth up” refer to emotions?
  Yes, it can mean making someone’s attitude or spirit stronger.
• Q: What is the difference between “toughen up” and “harden”?
  “Harden” usually means making something physically hard, while “toughen up” can be physical or mental.
• Q: Is “toughen sth up” separable?
  Yes, you can put the object between the verb and particle or after the particle.