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The English We Speak

from BBC learning English.

com. Hello, welcome to the English we speak with me Fay Faye and me Rob. Now

Faye Faye would you call yourself hard-nosed? Oh here go again. You're trying to insult me. Can we leave my nose out of the conversation, please?

I was starting to compliment you. Oh, go on. Why is having a hard nose or compliment? Not having a hard nose, but being

hard-nosed. Describe someone who is practical. Okay. Someone who is

determined and tough-minded. That's you, isn't it?

Hmm, maybe. Well, yes, I suppose that could describe me.

I thought so. Let's hear some more examples of this word hard-nosed.

She's a hard-nosed reporter.

She got the scoop that none of the other TV channels managed to get.

When my son was ill, I asked my boss for time off,

but he's so hard-nosed, he said no.

Our company is in financial trouble. He said no.

Our company is in financial trouble. We need a hard-nosed business person to come in and save us from closing.

This is the English we speak from BBC Learning English

and we're learning about the word hard-nosed,

which describes someone who is practical,

determined and tough-minded.

But hold down, Rob.

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