'hard-nosed' definitions:

Definition of 'hard-nosed'

From: WordNet
adjective
Guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory; "a hardheaded appraisal of our position"; "a hard-nosed labor leader"; "completely practical in his approach to business"; "not ideology but pragmatic politics" [syn: hardheaded, hard-nosed, practical, pragmatic]

Definition of 'hard-nosed'

From: GCIDE
  • hard-nosed \hard-nosed\ adj. facing reality squarely; guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory; tough and pragmatic; as, a hard-nosed businessman.
  • Syn: down-to-earth, hardheaded, practical, pragmatic. [WordNet 1.5]