hardline meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

hardline

noun

UK /ˈhɑːdlaɪn/ · US /ˈhɑɹdlaɪn/

Etymology From hard + line.

Business A retail product collection consisting primarily of hardware targeting the do-it-yourself customer.

The Hardlines Digest is an Internet mailing list for members of the retail hardware and home center industry.2002, John Cornell III, Hardlines FAQ (live original), Hardlines Digest

Business A retail product collection which includes many non-information goods, such as home appliances, housewares, and sporting goods, in addition to the DIY hardware which is the focus of the first definition, above.

Comparable-store sales in hardlines declined in the mid single-digit range, with the strongest performance in sporting goods.2010, Staff, Target June Comps "Relatively Soft" - Update (live original), RTTNews

Communications, Electrical engineering, Engineering, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Telecommunications, Telephony A physical wire or cable connection; landline.

hardline

adj

Etymology From hard + line.

Uncompromising; rigidly holding to a set of beliefs.

Smith's hardline approach to drugs gained him the support of many local citizens.
To come up with common, honorable, flexible, sensible, creative, meaningful, non-coercive "codes" or expectations of ethical behavior while avoiding laying down hard-line, guilt-inspiring "politically correct" rules and superficial judgements is no small feat.1979, Alix Dobkins, Adventures in Women's Music:

1 more example

Emmanuel Macron’s ruling centrist party was divided and soul-searching on Wednesday after a strict new immigration law was approved by parliament but contained so many hardline measures that the far-right Marine Le Pen claimed it as an “ideological victory” for her own anti-immigration platform.2023 December 19, Angelique Chrisafis, “France passes controversial immigration bill amid deep division in Macron’s party”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

Business Belonging to a hardline.

hardline product
Safety, product quality and performance are prerequisites for all hardline products such as toys, cosmetics, furniture, jewellery, DIY, etc.2010, Hardline Services by SGS (live page), SGS Group

Derived terms: hard-liner