Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
brute for punishment en · NOUN
Meanings
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(dated, possibly, qualifier:set phrase) One who endures, or who can endure, a great deal of pain, hardship, or other adversity.
If re-elected, Brainard will start his 31st year with the school board. “I guess I’m a brute for punishment,” he said laughing.
2012 April 27, Michael Tucker and Hannah Stiff, "Gallatin Valley School Board Election," Belgrade News (Bozeman, Montana) (retrieved 2 March 2018)"I know the English soldier is a brute for punishment, but I can't figure out why they don't take the bull by the horns and do something to make life more pleasant."
1964, Alexander McKee, Caen: Anvil of Victory, →ISBN, retrieved 02 Mar 2018:A brute for punishment, a beauty for looks! Engineered to outserve and outperform all ordinary trucks.
1938, Fargo Commercial Trucks vintage advertisement (image at Pinterest), retrieved 02 Mar 2018:"That's not auto camping at all," Henry scoffed. "I mean the real thing—every night in a different place and lots of miles covered every day."
"Gosh!" exclaimed Gus. You are a brute for punishment!"
1926 June, Martin Bunn, "Before You Go Auto Camping," Popular Science Monthly, p. 66 (Google preview) (retrieved 2 March 2018)
Forms
Relateds
tough guy
Synonyms
glutton for punishment