when the going gets tough, the tough get going

Meaning

to become tougher than the situation in order to be able to overcome it

to deal with something in a manner that proves that a person is tough enough to be able to handle it

to solve something in an able manner which was perceived to be more difficult than the person's ability

Example Sentences

The company secretary handled the objections very calmly and politely. I truly saw the personification of the fact that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. You know it is true that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. I have seen many such examples in my own life. I have now understood that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. I am in fact trying to teach the same to my children. In such harsh conditions, he managed to save not only himself but also the lives of many innocent children. For him, it is true, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Origin

The life of the people in the medieval times was hard since people were more inclined towards superstitions rather than science. While the phrase originates from there, currently it is used as a management motivational talk and is popular in many self-help books.

Life

the squeaky wheel gets the grease ❯❮ run for cover