tough guy
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tough guy
A particularly strong, resolute, fearless, and independent man who does not show weakness or emotion and does not rely on or bow down to others. Hyphenated if used as a modifier before a noun. The best tough guys in cinema are those who aren't invincible, but find still find a way to win against all odds. John's always putting on this tough-guy façade, but I know that deep down he's a bit of a coward.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
tough guy
a strong and severe man; a man who might be part of the underworld. He was your typical tough guy—jutting chin, gruff voice—but he was just our decorator checking up on the drapes. So, you want to be a tough guy, huh?
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
a ˈtough guy
(informal) a strong, independent-minded person who seems to be afraid of nothing: The most famous ‘tough guy’ in American movies was John Wayne.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
tough guy
n. a tough man; a man who might be part of the underworld. He was your typical tough guy—jutting chin, gruff voice—but he was just our decorator checking up on the drapes. So, you want to be a tough guy, huh?
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.