I find it pretty tough

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi

I don’t know the exact meaning of ’ I find it pretty tough’.
the meaning is : i understand it or …?

thanks

2

It means, “I think it is very hard to understand. I’m having problems understanding it.”

It does not indicate whether it is actually impossible for you to understand it, but we know from this phrase that you either cannot understand it or had to work really hard to understand it.

3

thanks for your answer but i think in the sentence:‘I find studying for exams pretty tough or I hate travelling to work in London, it takes a long time. I find it pretty tough’
meaning is I noticed that…

4

That is not correct. In those sentences it still means, ‘I think it is a hard thing’. However in this context it means ‘I think it is a hard thing to do’ rather than ‘I think it is a hard thing to understand’.

5

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Hello, Omid:

When I hear that something is “pretty tough,” I think that it is

quite/ rather difficult.

To me, it is not very difficult, but it is not easy, either. In other words, it’s so so when it comes to the level of difficulty.

You see a lot of people waiting to buy tickets for a concert. You tell your friend: “It’s going to be pretty tough getting tickets, but I think that we can do it.”

James

6

Hi James, I don’t really agree with your distinction rating. ‘Pretty tough’ does not carry such a clear cut indication of whether something is a little difficult, difficult, very difficult or almost impossible.

7

Thank you for your opinion, Beeesneees. We shall disagree agreeably.

8

It’s a pleasure to do so with such a reasonable and polite person, James.