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When the going gets tough, the tough get going 

What this means is that when faced with difficulties and adversity, those who are mentally and physically resilient do not give up, but formulate an effective and disciplined plan of action which they initiate and carry through to a successful conclusion.
"Despite getting stuck with the fallout from Malcolm's fuck-up, Nick got everything sorted inside of a week!"
"Yeah, when the going gets tough, the tough get going."
Related Words

tough crack to nut 

an extremely attractive woman that no guy can score with
“Yeah, she’s as hot as a firecracker but you’d better forget it, pal. That’s a tough crack to nut.”

tough language 

Profanity-laced, colorful metaphors describing those kinds of people and places. You know the ones.
The President used tough language to describe the people and countries that are keeping America from becoming great again. You know the ones.
tough language by Bogrimm January 17, 2018

tough scene 

Term popularized by sportstalkjoe and his followers on Twitter, used to describe something that is particularly unpleasant, hard to watch, or difficult to deal with.
Me: “Hey SportsTalkJoe, find a job yet?”
SportsTalkJoe: “Nope, too busy injecting marijuana into my ass”
Me: “Tough Scene”
tough scene by michaeljordanGOAT December 15, 2018

Tough nuggets

An obnoxious phrase used by old farts to dismiss someone's misery.

The origins of this phrase are unclear, but it is said that a group of old anarchists from New Jersey took it from James Joyce's "Ulysses"

" roguewords, tough nuggets patter in their pockets." from "Ulysses (Chap. 3 - Proteus)"
Mitch: How are you handling this weather, Lindsey?

Lindsay: Not good, I'm from San Diego.

Mitch: Well, tough nuggets to you, kiddo.
Tough nuggets by DavidHarveyRules January 23, 2014

tough shitsky

Too damn bad!
The "Prez" has just been permanently banned from Twitter. Aww! Tough shitsky! He'll get over it.
tough shitsky by talk2me-JCH2 January 8, 2021
More from Urban Dictionary
A seemingly endless debate with a idiot
I don't know man im not ready for yap trap stupidity today which always tries to suck you into it
Yap Trap by WolfieSnack November 4, 2026
Word of the Day on November 5, 2026
Texas is categorized as a swing state in presidential elections, but has voted for Republicans more times than for Democrats in recent history. As such, as demographics change political alignments, some Democrats believe that Texas will vote blue, or Democratic, due to their Hispanic and African American voters, who often align themselves with the Democratic Party's liberal wing.

Blexas has been cited as possible in the upcoming decades, but only if Democrats continue to win the Hispanic vote in bigger margins.
Democrat 1: What is your prediction for the 2024 presidential election?
Democrat 2: Well uh, Blexas!
Democrat 1: You've been saying that since 2008 though.
Blexas by Tritonist June 14, 2021
Word of the Day on November 4, 2026

briefcake 

"Did you check out the briefcake in courtroom C?"
briefcake by Ben Frey April 6, 2006
Word of the Day on November 3, 2026
Brought to public attention by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in the book on the fall of Richard Nixon, All The President’s Men, ratfucker was Nixon’s term for a political operative who sows chaos among opponents; an agent provocateur. It is thought to have originated among campus political rivalries at USC, and seems to have some usage in the US military.
Along with Nixon’s other ratfuckers, Roger Stone caused fights at otherwise peaceful Democratic Party protests to generate a false narrative that the Democrats were violent and dangerous.
Ratfucker by Ricky Ramjet November 2, 2017
Word of the Day on November 2, 2026

countrypolitan 

Term used to describe someone who is a mix of both rural (country) and urban (metropolitan) lifestyles/upbringings. He/she is typically equally comfortable in both settings and is able to seamlessly slip back and forth between the two, appreciating the characteristics of each.
That ol' gal of mine drives the 12 lane freeway during the week and a John Deere on the weekends. She likes opra and the Grand Ol' Opry. I love them countrypolitan women.
countrypolitan by MOChick November 7, 2006
Word of the Day on November 1, 2026

Witch Bath 

A bath consisting of a variety of slats, oils, soaps or any other added ingredients such as fruits, milks, herbs or any other spices for health or beautifying benifits.
She brought home alot of stuff and took it to the bathroom. She must be taking a witch bath.
Witch Bath by carnieboy30 October 26, 2020
Word of the Day on October 31, 2026
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