1. 
[syn: hardheaded, hard-nosed, practical, pragmatic]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
hard-nosed \hard-nosed\ adj.
   facing reality squarely; guided by practical experience and
   observation rather than theory; tough and pragmatic; as, a
   hard-nosed businessman.
   Syn: down-to-earth, hardheaded, practical, pragmatic.
        [WordNet 1.5]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
hard-nosed
    adj 1: guided by practical experience and observation rather
           than theory; "a hardheaded appraisal of our position"; "a
           hard-nosed labor leader"; "completely practical in his
           approach to business"; "not ideology but pragmatic
           politics" [syn: hardheaded, hard-nosed, practical,
           pragmatic]