tough'un
A tough one: a hard person, animal, or stretch of luck.
Also called tough one, tough un.
Updated September 24, 2026
tough'un pronunciation
/TUFF-un/
Meaning
Short for "tough one," with the mountain 'un clipped onto the end like young'un and big'un. Call somebody a tough'un and you mean they can take a licking and keep going. Call a winter or a broken hand a tough'un and you mean it was a hard go. Usually said with respect, not as a put-down.
How folks use it
- “That old man buried two wives and still runs the farm. He's a tough'un.”
- “Broke three ribs falling off the roof. That's a tough'un.”
Origin and etymology
"Tough" plus reduced "one" ('un), a pattern deep in Southern Appalachian English (young'un, big'un, that'un). The clipped 'un is documented in Smoky Mountain speech and older British dialect. Tough'un is just that pattern applied to grit.
Frequently asked questions
Is tough'un only for people?
No. It can be a hard person, a stubborn mule, or a rough patch of life.