What is "to make it tough"

Tough \Tough\, a. [Compar. Tougher; superl. Toughest.] [OE. tough, AS. t[=o]h, akin to D. taai, LG. taa, tage, tau, OHG. z[=a]hi, G. z[aum]he, and also to AS. getenge near to, close to, oppressive, OS. bitengi.]

1. Having the quality of flexibility without brittleness; yielding to force without breaking; capable of resisting great strain; as, the ligaments of animals are remarkably tough. ``Tough roots and stubs. ''
   --Milton.

2. Not easily broken; able to endure hardship; firm; strong; -- of objects and people; as, tough sinews.
   --Cowper.

   A body made of brass, the crone demands, . . . Tough to the last, and with no toil to tire.
   --Dryden.

   The basis of his character was caution combined with tough tenacity of purpose.
   --J. A. Symonds.

3. Not easily separated; viscous; clammy; tenacious; as, tough phlegm.

4. Stiff; rigid; not flexible; stubborn; as, a tough bow.

   So tough a frame she could not bend.
   --Dryden.

5. Severe; violent; as, a tough storm. [Colloq.] `` A tough debate. ''
   --Fuller.

6. Difficult to do, perform, or accomplish; as, a tough job.

7. Prone to aggressive or violent behavior; rowdyish; -- of people, or groups; as, a tough neighborhood; a tough character.

   To make it tough, to make it a matter of difficulty; to make it a hard matter. [Obs.]
   --Chaucer.