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Phrase(s): toughen someone or something up
to cause someone or something to be stronger, more uncompromising, or more severe. • A few days behind the service counter at the discount store will toughen her up quickly. • Having to deal with complaints toughened up the clerk quickly. • She tried to toughen the skin on her palms up., Phrase(s): toughen up
to become tougher, stronger, or more severe. • She will toughen up after a while. You have to be tough around here to survive. • You are going to have to toughen up if you want to play on the team.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs