tough to beat

/tʌf tu biːt/
phraseIntermediate
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

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

hard to beatphrase
very difficult to defeat or surpass
formidable opponentphrase
a strong and challenging competitor

💡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
adjective
+
to beat
to defeat or surpass
verb phrase
English Dictionary