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3. hard-nosed

hard-nosed

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hard-nosed

Fig. stern and unforgiving. Mr. Howe was known to be very hard-nosed, but he could really be friendly if you got to know him.

hard-nosed

practical and determined Keaton has a reputation as a hard-nosed businessman who always gets what he wants. The new hard-nosed management style is unpopular amongst employees.

hard-nosed

mod. stern and businesslike; unsympathetic. It takes a hard-nosed manager to run a place like this.