make or become stronger or more resilient (使)更坚强(或坚韧) [with obj.]he tried to toughen his son up by sending him to public school. 他把儿子送进公学以使其变得更坚强。 [no obj.]a falcon has scaly skin on its legs that toughens up very quickly. 猎鹰的腿上有能很快硬化的鳞状皮。 ■[with obj.]make (rules or a policy) stricter and more harsh 使(规定,政策)更为严格,苛刻 proposals to toughen up sentencing policy. 关于强化判决政策的建议。