Definition

Noun: A person, typically a man, who projects an image of physical strength, aggression, and fearlessness, often to intimidate others or to hide vulnerability. This term often implies someone who uses this persona to bully or dominate people perceived as weaker.

Usage

The term "tough guy" is used to describe a person's adopted persona or behavior. It is often used critically or sarcastically to question the authenticity of the toughness being displayed. * He acts like a tough guy at school, but he's actually very kind at home. * The movie's hero is the classic silent tough guy who solves problems with his fists. * You don't have to be a tough guy to earn respect.

Advanced Usage

• "Tough-guy act/image/persona": Used to describe the deliberate performance of being a tough guy.
  • He put on a tough-guy act to impress his new friends, but no one was fooled.
• "Tough-guy talk/rhetoric": Refers to speech that is aggressively boastful or threatening.
  • The politician's tough-guy talk on crime appealed to some voters.

Variants and Related Words

• Tough (adjective): Having the quality of being strong, resilient, or aggressive. (e.g., , )
• Toughness (noun): The state or quality of being tough.
• Toughie (noun, informal): A tough person or a difficult problem.

Synonyms

• Bully
• Bruiser
• Hard man
• Roughneck

Antonyms

• Pushover
• Weakling
• Pacifist
• Gentle person

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Tough as nails": Extremely strong, resilient, or unsentimental.
  • After years in the military, he was tough as nails.
• "Play the tough guy": To deliberately act in a tough, intimidating manner.
  • He decided to play the tough guy during the interrogation, refusing to answer any questions.

Noun

1. someone who bullies weaker people