Learning English

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Introduction

When you face a difficult time, you can tough it out. Find out how we use this phrase in this programme with Phil and Feifei.

Transcript

Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too. I'm Feifei.

Phil
And I'm Phil. Ow!

Feifei
You look like you're in pain, Phil. Are you OK?

Phil
I'll be OK. I hurt myself playing football, but I'm sure I can tough it out.

Feifei
Tough it out? Are you sure you can, Phil? Anyway, that's a great phrase to learn. What does 'tough it out' mean?

Phil
If you tough it out, then you work through a painful or difficult situation. You stay strong, and don't change your plans.

Feifei
And it's not just for physical pains like yours. We can use it for difficult situations. For example, you might be working for a company that can't afford to employ enough people and you just have to tough it out until they've got some more money.

Phil
Let's hear some other people using this phrase.

Examples
I am so hungry. I didn't have any time to eat breakfast but I'm going to have to tough it out till my lunch break.

Oh no! There's no hot water and I really need a shower. I'm going to have to tough it out.

Oh, there's no air conditioning in this building. I'm absolutely boiling! I guess I'll just have to tough it out.

Feifei
We've been learning the phrase 'tough it out' to mean work through a difficult situation and not let it stop you.

Phil
As a phrase, we always put 'it' in the middle, between 'tough' and 'out'. Now, it originally comes from the phrasal verb 'tough something out' – and you can tough something out or tough out something.

Feifei
Yes. It can be hard to learn phrasal verbs, but if you tough it out, you'll get there.

Phil
And make sure you come back for the next programme. We'll see you then!

Feifei
Bye-bye!

Phil
Bye!

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