pigheaded refusal

1 8.5

A very stubborn decision not to change or listen to advice

noun
/ˈpɪɡˌhɛdɪd rɪˈfjuzəl/

Informal

: negativa obstinada

Everyone was frustrated by the mayor's pigheaded refusal to listen to alternative solutions.

Examples

His pigheaded refusal to listen to advice cost him the job.
Despite the team's concerns, his pigheaded refusal to reconsider the plan stalled the project.
Her pigheaded refusal to apologize only made the situation worse.
She showed a pigheaded refusal to accept help.
Her pigheaded refusal to admit she was wrong frustrated everyone in the meeting.
Despite numerous warnings, his pigheaded refusal to change his plans resulted in disaster.
The manager's pigheaded refusal to consider employee feedback led to low morale in the office.

Synonyms

refusal

vspigheaded refusal

122 1.4

An act of saying you will not accept or agree to something

is not merely an act but an extreme, unreasonable saying no that ignores advice

stubbornness

vspigheaded refusal

21 3.6

Refusing to change your mind or actions even when there are good reasons

is a stronger, more unreasonable no that ignores advice

obstinacy

vspigheaded refusal

3 7.6

Refusing to change your mind or actions even when others ask you to

is an intensified, unreasonable saying no that disregards advice

pigheadedness

vspigheaded refusal

Informal

1 7.9

Refusing to change your mind even when you are wrong

is a more extreme, unreasonable no that ignores reason and advice

obstinance

vspigheaded refusal

1 7.9

Being stubborn and refusing to change your mind

is a more extreme and unreasonable form of saying no

obduracy

vspigheaded refusal

1 9.9

Refusing to change your mind or plans even after seeing good reasons

is a harsher, more unreasonable no that rejects reason and advice

Antonyms

agreement

361 1.0

A situation in which people have the same opinion or give their approval

compliance

171 5.0

Obeying rules or orders from people in charge

How Firm

pigheaded refusal

Informal

1 8.5

refusal

122 1.4

objection

292 3.6

hesitation

110 2.8

Surface Forms

pigheaded refusal singular

pigheaded refusals plural

Morphology

pigheaded + refusal

The phrase is a straightforward adjectival modification: 'pigheaded' means stubborn and 'refusal' means an act of declining, so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer an extremely stubborn or obstinate refusal. This compositional pattern (adjective + noun denoting an intensified quality) is common cross-linguistically, making the meaning transparent rather than idiomatic.

Etymology

Pigheaded refusal comes from the picture of someone with a stubborn pig head who will not turn or listen. That's why it means a very strong 'refusal' that ignores good advice.