Tough but very much present! (2,5)
I believe the answer is:
so there
'tough' is the definition.
(both are defiant exclamations)
'very much present' is the wordplay.
'very much' becomes 'so'.
'present' becomes 'there' (I've seen this before).
'so'+'there'='SO THERE'
'but' is the link.
(Other definitions for so there that I've seen before include "Defiant words" , "Defiant statement" , "Derisive expression" , "Triumphant put-down" , "message of defiance" .)