toughen, übersetzung im Collins English Cobuild & Thesaurus Wörterbuch

toughen (toughens 3rd person present) (toughening present participle) (toughened past tense & past participle )

1 verb If you toughen something or if it toughens, you make it stronger so that it will not break easily.
Do not add salt to beans when cooking as this tends to toughen the skins. V n, Also V

2  verb If a person, institution, or law toughens its policies, regulations, or punishments, it makes them firmer or stricter.
Talks are under way to toughen trade restrictions...  V n
  Toughen up means the same as toughen., phrasal verb
The new law toughens up penalties for those that misuse guns.  V P n (not pron), Also V n P

3  verb If an experience toughens you, it makes you stronger and more independent in character.
They believe that participating in fights toughens boys and shows them how to be men.  V n
  Toughen up means the same as toughen., phrasal verb
He thinks boxing is good for kids, that it toughens them up...  V n P
My father tried to teach me to toughen up.  V P