no-nonsenseˌno-ˈnonsense adjective [only before noun] 
Examples
his no-nonsense attitude to business
ExamplesEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- no-nonsense black jeans
- Jason, with his no-nonsense approach, has been an asset to the project.
- Mathews is a no-nonsense veteran of the police department.
- The commissioner was a hard-working, no-nonsense kind of guy.
- A disciplinarian, a no-nonsense guy.
- Arthur Ransome illustrates how a matter-of-fact tone can match the no-nonsense approach of children; and so on.
- As the child subjected him to a solemn, no-nonsense appraisal, Ashley's heart began to hammer behind her ribs.
- Brouillet's dishes, on the other hand, are innovative without stuffiness, no-nonsense cuisine with flair.
- It had a strong, no-nonsense ring about it.
- People were catching on to his folksy, well-informed, no-nonsense approach.
- She had always had grey hair, scraped back into a no-nonsense knot and wore baggy knitted suits.
- Top-quality, no-nonsense fish and chips in the heart of Marylebone.
Longman Language Activatorpeople► sensible
Collocations someone who is sensible is unlikely to do anything stupid, because they judge situations well and make good decisions: · Laura's a pretty sensible girl. I don't think she'd talk to strangers.· He's one of the few sensible people on the council.be sensible spoken: · Be sensible - you can't go out without a coat in this weather.sensible about: · People are far more sensible about what and how much they drink these days.
► reasonable someone who is reasonable makes sensible decisions that are fair to everyone: · She's usually very reasonable as a boss, but now and again her temper flares up.· Let's try and discuss this in a calm and reasonable way.be reasonable spoken: · Be reasonable, Paul - I'm only trying to help.
► responsible someone who is responsible can be trusted to do what they should do and to think about the results of their actions: · We aim to educate our children to become socially responsible citizens.· I'm a responsible adult. I can make my own choices.
► mature a child or young person who is mature behaves in a sensible way, as you would expect an older person to behave: · She's very mature for her age.· After two years of college, the students have a much more mature attitude.
► rational if someone is rational , their actions are based on a clear understanding of the facts of a situation, and are not influenced by their feelings or imagination: · Taking action to defend yourself is a completely rational reaction if you're being attacked.· Many of the patients have long histories of drug abuse, and they're not always rational.
► practical/realistic/pragmatic having the ability to understand situations and to know what is or is not possible: · She's a practical manager who realizes that a happy workforce is also a productive one.· The people of this country need to be more realistic - you can't have lower taxes as well as higher spending on health and pensions.· She is a tough, pragmatic, intuitive leader.
► no-nonsense direct and dealing with things in a practical way, without wasting time on things that do not matter: · Mathews is a no-nonsense veteran of the police department.· Jason, with his no-nonsense approach, has been an asset to the project.
► down-to-earth someone who is down-to-earth is practical and honest, and does not think they are more important, more intelligent etc than other people: · She's sophisticated, but also practical and down-to-earth.· People are surprised by what an unpretentious, down-to-earth guy he really is.
► talk sense especially spoken if someone talks sense , they express sensible ideas or opinions that you agree with: · Someone who could talk sense would get my vote, but most politicians don't.
► have your head screwed on British /have your head screwed on right American use this about someone who will always behave sensibly in a difficult or confusing situation: · Don't worry about Sheila. She's got her head screwed on.· Anyone who can raise three such normal kids in Hollywood must have their head screwed on right.
► sane able to think clearly and likely to behave in a sensible way, especially when other people are not being sensible: · I don't think any sane person would take his threats seriously.· It was a relief to hear one sane voice among all the shouting and hysteria.keep somebody sane: · Exercise keeps me sane. If I didn't exercise, the stress would get to me.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN► approach
very practical and direct, without wasting time on unnecessary things SYN down-to-earth: · In his defence, Souness believes his no-nonsense approach has made him a marked man.· People were catching on to his folksy, well-informed, no-nonsense approach.· Arthur Ransome illustrates how a matter-of-fact tone can match the no-nonsense approach of children; and so on.· Whitehead Mann's dynamic and determined style and no-nonsense approach have appealed to the most sophisticated users of search.· Andy is a street-wise ex-cop, with a blunt, no-nonsense approach that is offensive to some but appreciated by many.· Clinique have a no-nonsense approach to men's skincare - dermatologically-tested products in simple packing.
his no-nonsense attitude to business