The term “tough” is employed with remarkable versatility in literature, serving both literal and metaphorical functions. It frequently describes physical qualities such as firmness and resistance—denoting wood that bends yet remains resilient ([1], [2]), meat that challenges the diner’s palate ([3], [4]), and even materials like cables or fibers that withstand wear ([5], [6]). At the same time, “tough” characterizes personalities and circumstances, portraying individuals as rugged or unyielding in both spirit and demeanor—whether identifying a formidable character like Tough Bill ([7], [8]) or suggesting the inherent difficulty of life’s challenges ([9], [10]). In other instances, it metaphorically underscores resilience, comparing inner strength to a fibrous, unbreakable root ([11]). Thus, the word adeptly bridges the physical and abstract realms, enriching literary descriptions of durability and steadfastness.