Grammar fix
tough it out
endure something hard
To continue through a very difficult or unpleasant situation until it ends.
How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inMostly spoken
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The hike was much longer than we expected, but we toughed it out and reached the village before dark.
During my final exams, I was exhausted by the last week, but I toughed it out because I didn't want to give up at that stage.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: We toughened it out until the end.
Say: We toughed it out until the end.
The phrase is 'tough it out'; it is not formed from the verb 'toughen'.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Keep going with something hard until the end
How toughDeterminedVery tough
see it throughContinuing until completion despite difficulties.stick outUsually 'stick it out': stay to the end despite wanting to quit.
tough it outYou're here · Enduring a particularly difficult or unpleasant situation until completion.