Dmitry
Help me get this aphorism Tough times never last, but tough people do What does that mean? I can't get the sense of the word "last" and of the whole phrase, it's used here as a verb....so, 'tough people' is a good reference of people, right? tough = "determined or firm in purpose" as Cherry said does it always mean that?Whell then in this lyrics ------ Everytime I try to make you smile You're always feeling sorry for yourself Everytime I try to make you laugh You can't Youre too tough You think you're loveless Is it too much that I'm asking for? ----- tough is a negative trait. And I always thought that. And couldn't get the aphorism. Now I got it. It's clear to me, thank you.
Apr 20, 2010 8:30 PM
Answers · 6
2
Hello Dmitry, "last" is a verb here and means to remain in being or continue for a length of time. It means that tough times do end and change people into tough persons who remain this way through what they have probably learned in tough times. 'tough' in 'tough times' mean troublesome or difficult. 'tough' in tough people' means determined or firm in purpose.
April 20, 2010
1
It means that difficult times will only be with us for a short while --- maybe for a day or a week, for example. When things "last", they are with us for a long time. Tough people, however, do "last" --- they keep on living for a long time after the tough times (the problems) have gone away. Here are some sentences with the word LAST, so that you get the idea of other ways it can be used: That's a huge bottle of soap --- it will probably last me a year! Boy: Mom, how long will this boring meeting last? Mom: It'll only last a little while longer, and then we can go home. Andrew: How long can a goldfish last without food? Audrey: Well, I've forgotten to feed him a couple times, so I know they can last a few days! Hope this helps!
April 20, 2010
Dmitry, A simpler way of saying this would be, "Difficult times do not last forever, but determined people do" [survive, through good times and bad.] :)
April 23, 2010
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July 30, 2011
No, it could have other meanings in reference to people.Some refer to positive,others to negative traits. I was talking here about its peculiar meaning in the context of your example. Other possible meanings in reference to persons: - having a great capacity for endurance, being hardy or fit. " a tough mountaineer." " a tough rider" - being rough, pugnacious or belligerent : " a tough fighter " " a tough gangster" - rough or vicious : a tough person
April 21, 2010
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