Crossword Genius

Being obstinate had dire trouble (3-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

die-hard

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'being obstinate' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'had dire trouble' is the wordplay.
'trouble' is an anagram indicator.
'had'+'dire'='haddire'
'haddire' with letters rearranged gives 'DIE-HARD'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for die-hard that I've seen before include "Fanatic" , "Obstinately conservative" , "Obstinately resistant to change" , "Obstinate or dauntless person" , "Stick-in-the-mud" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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