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Region: General | Usage example: The detective had a hard-boiled persona.

Hard-boiled

Meaning

Tough and unsentimental.

Usage

Used to describe tough characters.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Hard-boiled eggs representing firm exterior.

Used in noir fiction since early 20th century.

Related Idioms

All bark and no bite

Someone who talks tough but is harmless or unlikely to act.

Hang in there

Persevere through tough times.

When push comes to shove

When a situation becomes critical and tough choices are needed.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.