toughie

or tough·y

[ tuhf-ee ]

noun

, Informal.

, plural tough·ies.

1. a tough person, especially one who is belligerent:

   The sheriff was a local toughie with very little patience for outsiders.

2. a difficult problem or situation:

   That math test was a real toughie!

3. a harsh or blunt book, movie, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of toughie¹

First recorded in 1920–25; tough + -ie

Example Sentences

Another toughie is tackling difficult questions or requests, especially pleas from kids for their divorced parents to reconcile.

From The Daily Beast