hard line

¹

noun

1. an uncompromising or unyielding stand, especially in politics.

hard-line

²

or hard·line

[ hahrd-lahyn ]

adjective

1. adhering rigidly to a dogma, theory, or plan; uncompromising or unyielding:

   hard-line union demands.

hard line

noun

1. 1. an uncompromising course or policy
   2. hardline ( as modifier )

      a hardline policy

Derived Forms

• ˌhardˈliner, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hard line¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Origin of hard line²

An Americanism dating back to 1960–65

Idioms and Phrases

A firm, uncompromising policy or position. For example, The President was taking a hard line on the budget . [c. 1960]

Example Sentences

And what deepens the mystery to me is what his hard-line position gets him.

From The Daily Beast

His detractors tried to undermine his standing with Reagan, but he had support from an unlikely source—hard-line conservatives.

From The Daily Beast

Mitchell himself has taken a hard line against disclosures of financial information concerning his for-profit companies.

From The Daily Beast

The militants first escorted the buses to a Sharia court, where their hard-line version of Islamic law reigns supreme.

From The Daily Beast

But his ultra-hard-line stance against a political solution and peace talks put him at odds with the collective leadership.

From The Daily Beast

She was looking at him with cool questioning in her grey eyes, her lips drawn to a hard line.

From Project Gutenberg

He looked at the girl, her white face, the hard line made by a mouth that should be sweet and gentle.

From Project Gutenberg

He encountered a small, hard line, like a lead-line, being paid out from the forecastle and carried aft by the man who had passed.

From Project Gutenberg

The lips of Professor Sykes lost their genial curve; they straightened to a hard line.

From Project Gutenberg

Jim's Irish blue eyes were black with anger this morning and his lips set in a firm, hard line.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• hard-core
• militant
• staunch
• uncompromising
• unyielding