From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishtalk tough (on something)talk tough (on something)informalTELL/ORDER somebody TO DO something to give people your opinions very strongly The president is talking tough on crime. → talk
Examples from the Corpus
talk tough (on something)• Electioneering, he had talked tough about getting government off the backs of the people.• So far the Fed has talked tougher about inflation than it has acted.• Politicians enjoy an easy ride by provoking crime fear and talking tough about punishment.• You talk tough but inside you're just like all the rest of us.• This Government talks tough for public consumption but has no stomach for action.• You karate the walls, you talk tough to the mirror.• Cell warrior: Prisoner who talks tough when safely in his cell but who is meek when out of it. 