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 ]
(adj) guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory, Syn. pragmatic, hard-nosed, practical, Example:a hardheaded appraisal of our position; a hard-nosed labor leader; completely practical in his approach to business; not ideology but pragmatic politics