Take A Hard Line With?

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Take A Hard Line With?

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Hi,

I know that you can ‘take a hard line with someone’, but what about ‘about’?

“The teacher really takes a hard line about his course.” (He’s very strict.)

Thank you.

Feb 09 2019 07:25:45

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Thank you. I actually found the opposite expression ‘take a soft line about’ in a book and the character went on to say that the course is a joke and that they aren’t required to do anything too difficult.

Feb 10 2019 07:46:29

Ann225Thank you. I actually found the opposite expression ‘take a soft line about’ in a book and the character went on to say that the course is a joke and that they aren’t required to do anything too difficult.

If that's the intended meaning, then "takes a soft line about" is a confusing way of expressing it, in my view.

Feb 10 2019 12:01:12

May I ask what you’d say instead? Perhaps ‘take a soft approach’?

Feb 10 2019 16:02:03

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Ann225 May I ask what you’d say instead? Perhaps ‘take a soft approach’?

The teacher taking "a soft approach" doesn't necessarily mean that the course is easy. To describe the nature of the course, I would make the course the subject, not the teacher.

Feb 10 2019 18:58:39

“The course takes a soft approach to the basics of maths.” (Not too much is required.)

This?

Feb 10 2019 19:30:06

E.g.:

"The course is an easy introduction to the basics of maths." (positive connotation).

"The course is too easy." (negative connotation)

Feb 10 2019 20:23:40

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That’s not exactly what I wanted to say. (It’s obvious that these sentences could be used.) I was looking for a different phrase. Never mind. Thanks anyway.

Feb 11 2019 08:21:01

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Thank you. I actually found the opposite expression ‘take a soft line about’ in a book and the character went on to say that the course is a joke and that they aren’t required to do anything too difficult.
Ann225Thank you. I actually found the opposite expression ‘take a soft line about’ in a book and the character went on to say that the course is a joke and that they aren’t required to do anything too difficult.
If that's the intended meaning, then "takes a soft line about" is a confusing way of expressing it, in my view.
May I ask what you’d say instead? Perhaps ‘take a soft approach’?
Ann225 May I ask what you’d say instead? Perhaps ‘take a soft approach’?
The teacher taking "a soft approach" doesn't necessarily mean that the course is easy. To describe the nature of the course, I would make the course the subject, not the teacher.
“The course takes a soft approach to the basics of maths.” (Not too much is required.)
This?
E.g.:
"The course is an easy introduction to the basics of maths." (positive connotation).
"The course is too easy." (negative connotation)
That’s not exactly what I wanted to say. (It’s obvious that these sentences could be used.) I was looking for a different phrase. Never mind. Thanks anyway.

GPY · Accepted Answer · 2019-02-09T10:13

Ann225“The teacher really takes a hard line about his course.” (He’s very strict.)

It's possible, but to me it doesn't seem to mean that the teacher maintains strict discipline in the classroom, if that's what you're suggesting. It could mean that the teacher argues forcefully in favour of his course, e.g. that his course is the correct way to teach the subject, or is essential for all students, or something like that, depending on context.

Take A Hard Line With?

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