gruff as a bear

(as) gruff as a bear

Surly or brusque. Don't take it personally, Gordon is gruff as a bear with everyone.
See also: bear, gruff
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*gruff as a bear

gruff; curt and unsociable. (*Also: as ∼.) I hate to ask Erica questions; she's always gruff as a bear. I'm always as gruff as a bear before I've had my first cup of coffee.
See also: bear, gruff
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • (as) gruff as a bear
  • gruff
  • hungry as a bear
  • (as) hungry as a bear
  • bear out
  • as much as the traffic will bear
  • traffic
  • bearing
  • bear cage
  • take the bear by the tooth