“When the going gets tough, the tough get going” is the proverb that turns hardship into a call to action. Here is what it means, where it comes from, how to use it, and a few sayings that share its grit.
What Does “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going” Mean?
The proverb means that when conditions become difficult, strong and determined people rise to the challenge and work harder, rather than giving up. It draws a sharp line between those who quit when things get hard and those who find their strength precisely when it is needed most. The phrase plays cleverly on two senses of “get going”: the tough get moving, and they get going to work. It is a favourite rallying cry in sport, business, and any tough spot that calls for resolve.
Origin of the Proverb
The saying is popularly attributed both to Joseph P. Kennedy (father of President John F. Kennedy) and to the legendary American football coach Knute Rockne, and it most likely grew out of American football coaching circles in the mid-twentieth century, where it served as a locker-room motto. It reached a global audience in 1985 as the title of a hit song by Billy Ocean, which sealed its place in everyday speech.
Examples in a Sentence
- “The team was losing at half-time, but when the going gets tough, the tough get going — and they won.”
- “Sales collapsed that year, yet when the going gets tough, the tough get going, and she rebuilt the business.”
- “It’s a hard course, but when the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
Similar Proverbs
- No pain, no gain — there is no reward without effort and hardship.
- A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor — we grow strong by facing difficulty.
- Tough times never last, but tough people do — resilience outlasts hardship.
- The finest steel has to go through the hottest fire — strength is forged by trial.
For more sayings about resilience and resolve, see our motivational proverbs and the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” mean?
It means that when conditions become difficult, strong and determined people respond by working harder and rising to the challenge, rather than giving up.
Where does the proverb come from?
It is popularly attributed to Joseph P. Kennedy and coach Knute Rockne, likely emerging from American football coaching circles in the mid-twentieth century, and was popularised by Billy Ocean’s 1985 song.
What is a similar proverb?
“No pain, no gain” and “a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor” share the idea that hardship calls forth strength.
