hard-nosed

Or hard·nosed

[hahrd-nohzd]

adjective

Informal.

1. hardheaded or tough; unsentimentally practical.

   a hard-nosed labor leader.

   Synonyms: inflexible, stubborn, rigid, intractable, down-to-earth, realistic

hard-nosed

adjective

1. informal,  tough, shrewd, and practical

Word History and Origins

Origin of hard-nosed¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Carney led the Liberal Party to a fourth-straight electoral win last April, on the promise of taking a hard-nosed approach in trade negotiations with Washington and delivering relief for the Canadian economy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Park’s hard-nosed approach to his themes, his ability to elicit strong performances and his deft touch with complex material have built his lofty reputation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Most employers, even the hard-nosed ones, will listen and make adjustments when they understand that preventing burnout benefits everyone."

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The once hard-nosed defence coach will almost certainly show that emotional side again, regardless of Saturday's outcome.

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But Lulu might protest too much: She’s clearly not so hard-nosed about love as she makes herself out to be.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hard-boiled 
• hardheaded 
• no-nonsense 
• tough-minded 
• uncompromising