0 the fact of being very severe, for example in refusing to allow something or to give people what they want: --
The government wants to take a hard line against the strikers.
1 extreme and severe and not likely to change: --
His hardline stance appears to have gained him greater popularity with the public.
a hard-line politician
a hard-line manifesto
If he takes a hard line, the phrase "borne in mind" will not fit the bill.
Those parties are in favour of taking a hard line rather than relying on seemingly endless and ineffective peace talks.
It is wrong to take such a hard line on the choice between capital and current expenditure.
Now, it's very difficult to draw an absolute hard line on this, it's a matter of assessing judgment of other people.
With one or two exceptions, they have taken an extremely hard line.
I, too, am surprised that, once again, he has taken a hard line on the issue.
However, it is bordering on the criminal to take a hard line having given the impression that one will take a soft line.
We shall be taking a hard line at the conference next week.