hard-nosed

American  

[hahrd-nohzd] / ˈhɑrdˌnoʊzd /

Or hardnosed

adjective

Informal.

1. hardheaded or tough; unsentimentally practical.

   a hard-nosed labor leader.

   Synonyms:

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

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hard-nosed British  

adjective

1. informal tough, shrewd, and practical

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Etymology

Origin of hard-nosed

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

The new chief executive is promising hard-nosed business leadership and has appointed Tiger Woods to chair their Future Competitions Committee.

From BBC

For a decade, Kelce was a regional sports figure, revered in the Midwest as a hard-nosed, consistent producer on the field.

From Los Angeles Times

The Bazball ideology has been exposed by Australia's hard-nosed, ruthless and relentless Test cricket.

From BBC

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.

From 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.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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