when the going gets tough

idiom

: when it becomes difficult to continue or to make progress
What will you do when the going gets tough?

Examples of when the going gets tough in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Because when the going gets tough, those external promises feel empty. Akin Akinpelu, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 That trait has shined through during this postseason, as when the going gets tough or the moment is heightened, the point guard consistently delivers. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2024 Yet, when the going gets tough, many fold, their discipline crumbling under pressure. Alexandre Douzet, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 This level of respect ensures that the team stays engaged and committed, even when the going gets tough. Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024 Breathwork is especially vital when the going gets tough. Perri Ormont Blumberg, TIME, 31 July 2024 The Biden administration has the smarts and the backbone to follow through even when the going gets tough. Aaron David Miller, Foreign Affairs, 22 Dec. 2023 When the weather turns, when the legs are tired, or when the going gets tough, nothing can help one get through the race like the great people of Berkeley who come out to ensure everybody finishes in great spirits. Outside Online, 18 Oct. 2022 But Djokovic, always so tough when the going gets tough, pulled out the win. Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2023

Dictionary Entries Near when the going gets tough

Cite this Entry

“When the going gets tough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/when%20the%20going%20gets%20tough. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!