strong silent type

Idioms  

1. A man of action who is reserved and masks his feelings. For example, Paula always preferred the strong silent type to more extroverted men. Almost never used for a woman, this expression may be obsolescent. [c. 1900]

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Example Sentences

Even bones, long thought to be the strong, silent type, turn out to be chatty, reaching out to the muscles, brain, and other organs.

From Science Magazine

In “Abigail,” Joey is the strong, silent type with a maternal soft spot for her young captive.

From Los Angeles Times

A model citizen of the strong, silent type, he is well liked in his small, unnamed town and always seems to appear just when an extra skilled hand is needed.

From New York Times

Both men are the strong, silent type, less interested in ruminating on their feelings than churning forward with a positive attitude.

From Los Angeles Times

In a running bit throughout the show, he laments that American men no longer live up to the ideal of Gary Cooper, “the strong, silent type.”

From New York Times