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tough to beat
/tʌf tu biːt/
very difficult to defeat or surpass
The defending champion is tough to beat this year.
The defending champion is very difficult to defeat this year.
informal
Very difficult to defeat or surpass; a strong contender or competitor.
This team has been tough to beat in the playoffs.
This team has been very difficult to defeat in the playoffs.
Her record is tough to beat in this category.
Her record is very difficult to surpass in this category.
Often used in sports, business, or competitive contexts to describe a formidable opponent or achievement.
Collocations
tough to beatvery difficult to defeat or surpass
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
Use 'tough to beat' when describing a strong competitor or a difficult challenge in a competitive setting.
Gold Rule
Competitive Context
This phrase is typically used in contexts where competition or comparison is involved, such as sports, business, or academic achievements.
Word Origin
Derived from the combination of 'tough' (difficult) and 'to beat' (to defeat), emphasizing the challenge of overcoming something or someone.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in competitive contexts, such as sports, business, or academic achievements, to highlight the strength or difficulty of a particular challenge.
Word Breakdown
tough
difficult or challenging
adjectiveto beat
to defeat or surpass
verb phraseEnglish Dictionary