Hang Tough

Meaning of Idiom ‘Hang Tough’

To hang tough means to refuse to change one’s position or actions on something; to remain inflexible or maintain one’s resolve. ¹,²,³

Examples Of Use

“He tried to hang tough on the lawsuit, but in the end, he was forced to settle it out of court.”

“Despite all the evidence of the affair, the senator is hanging tough and refusing to admit it occurred.”

“We are going to hang tough on this,” said the committee’s spokesperson. “We will not fund the new park unless more money is allocated to infrastructure.”

“Hang tough, boys,” yelled the sergeant. “We’ve got air support on the way!”

Origin

Used since the first half of the 1900’s. ⁴

Tough is used in the sense of being fiercely uncompromising or being able to stand up for oneself without being intimidated.

Hang is used in the sense of maintaining or continuing to hold a position, attitude, etc.

More Idioms Starting with H

• Hell of a Note
• Hocus-Pocus
• Happy as the Day is Long
• Half in the Bag
• Have Something Out

More Hang Idioms

• Low-Hanging Fruit
• Hang Out to Dry
• Have Something Hanging Over Your Head
• Hang One’s Head
• Hang On (or hang on to)

More Tough Idioms

• Tough Nut to Crack, a
• When the Going Gets Tough (The Tough Get Going)

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References

1. Heacock, Paul. Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2010.
2. Spears, Richard A. McGraw-Hill’s American Idioms Dictionary. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2008.
3. Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.
4. Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.