You use hard-nosed to describe someone who is tough and realistic, and who takes decisions on practical grounds rather than emotional ones.
[informal]
If nothing else, Doug is a hard-nosed businessman.
Synonyms: tough, practical, realistic, shrewd More Synonyms of hard-nosed
hard-nosed in British English
adjective
informal
tough, shrewd, and practical
hard-nosed in American English
(ˈhɑrdˌnoʊzd)
US
adjective Informal
1.
indomitable; tough; stubborn
2.
shrewd and practical
Derived forms
hardnose (ˈhardˌnose)
noun
Examples of 'hard-nosed' in a sentence
hard-nosed
Could the lofty poet and the hard-nosed businessman be one and the same?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But being a hard-nosed journalist or businessman does not require you to suspend basic humanity.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You must already have a reputation of being hard-nosed and tough for this to work.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The look on the face of a hard-nosed businessman who is stunned at what he sees, that can be rewarding.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
A hard-nosed attitude says no, obviously not.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Not before time, the executives charged with running the sport are taking a hard-nosed approach to an issue that has been intensifying for years.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Industry sources say that it was made clear that a more hard-nosed approach this time round would be welcome, especially so close to a general election.