gruff as a bear

(as) gruff as a bear

Surly or brusque. Don't take it personally, Gordon is gruff as a bear with everyone. Try talking to Lauren later in the day—she can be as gruff as a bear before she's had her morning coffee. Mr. Stewart may seem gruff as a bear, but he's really nice—he's actually helped me carry my groceries many times.

See also: bear, gruff

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*gruff as a bear

gruff; curt and unsociable. (*Also: as ∼.) I hate to ask Erica questions; she's always gruff as a bear. I'm always as gruff as a bear before I've had my first cup of coffee.

See also: bear, gruff

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.