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hard case

SEE SYNONYMS FOR hard case

noun

a rough, hard-bitten person.

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Origin of hard case

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Words nearby hard case

hard-boiled, hardboot, hard bop, hardbound, hard candy, hard case, hard cash, hard chancre, hard cheese, hard cider, hard clam

Definition for hard case (2 of 2)

hard-case
[ hahrd-keys ]
/ ˈhɑrdˌkeɪs /

adjective

rough and hard-bitten: hard-case juvenile delinquents.

Origin of hard-case

First recorded in 1915–20
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to hard case

tough row to hoe

Example sentences from the Web for hard case

  • Suddenly, the vendor dropped his hard-case bangbanger facade.

    Makers|Cory Doctorow

  • Donald smiled to himself at the thought of the hard-case Bluenose mate having a penchant for chocolate “fudge.”

    The Viking Blood|Frederick William Wallace