get tough on
idiomatic phrase
: to deal harshly with
Greece promised last week to get tough on tax evasion …—
Alan Clendenning
Alan ClendenningEnvironmental groups and health agencies such as the American Lung Association have pushed lawmakers to get tough on polluters and enact stricter smog limits …—Melissa Knopper
Melissa Knopper"… For a long time in the United States, the politics around law and order have been, get tough on crime. … "—Paul Butler
Paul ButlerExamples of get tough on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
California Californians broadly support Prop. 36 to get tough on crime, new poll finds
Oct. 4, 2024
Oakland has become a focal point statewide for fears about crime.
—Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
The city got tough on homelessness in 2023 after years of doing little to battle it because previous city councils tied the hands of law enforcement.
—Michael Slaten, Orange County Register, 4 Oct. 2024
California California lawmakers got tougher on crime this year.
—Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
Others wanted the government to revive US manufacturing, while ditching free trade and getting tougher on China.
—Andrew Prokop, Vox, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for get tough on 
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.
Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
The city got tough on homelessness in 2023 after years of doing little to battle it because previous city councils tied the hands of law enforcement.
—Michael Slaten, Orange County Register, 4 Oct. 2024
California California lawmakers got tougher on crime this year.
—Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
Others wanted the government to revive US manufacturing, while ditching free trade and getting tougher on China.
—Andrew Prokop, Vox, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for get tough on
Dictionary Entries Near get tough on
Cite this Entry
“Get tough on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%20tough%20on. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share