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Glite Dictionary
hard-nosed approach

hard-nosed approach

1 5.8
A practical, strict way to handle problems to get results
  • noun
translation icon : enfoque pragmático
  • With a hard-nosed approach, the team tackled the budget cuts head-on and developed a plan to pull through.
  • take a hard-nosed approach

Examples

  • The manager's hard-nosed approach ensured that only the most qualified candidates were hired.

  • The second team consisted of three players whose value to the team wasn't measured in statistics as much as the hard-nosed approach they took to making the USD defense one of the best in the conference.

    Blog text (23)

  • The 'hard-nosed' approach would be to stop raising and slaughtering cows to the tune of 8 lbs of feed per 1 lb of meat. "Hard-nosed" discussions suddenly become a lot harder to find when they go against what the writer personally wants.

    Blog text (18)

  • Adopting a hard-nosed approach, the company streamlined its operations to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

Synonyms

hardball
vshard-nosed approach
39 6.6

A tough way of dealing with others in business or politics

is more practical and realistic rather than aggressive in method
hard line
vshard-nosed approach
24 5.1

A firm position that accepts no compromise in politics or talks

is more practical and realistic, focused on workable results
iron fist approach
vshard-nosed approach
7.0

A very strict way of managing people and enforcing rules

is tough and practical rather than mainly harsh or punishing

Antonyms

soft
205 2.0

Not strict and willing to allow mistakes

lenient
32 4.4

Not strict about rules and punishment

How Tough

ruthlessness
9 7.3
hard-nosed approach
1 5.8
practicality
26 3.9

Surface Forms

hard-nosed approach singular
hard-nosed approaches plural

Morphology

hard-nosed + approach

The noun phrase meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'hard-nosed' (tough, practical, uncompromising) + 'approach' (method or strategy). This adjective+noun combination follows regular English semantics and is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

The phrase hard-nosed approach comes from the image of a person with a hard nose—someone tough who is not easily moved. So it means using a practical, determined method that is not soft or emotional.