Crossword Genius

Hard nut, so sure to get a beating (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

strenuous

'hard' is the definition.
(I know that hard can be written as strenuous)

'nut so sure to get a beating' is the wordplay.
'to get a beating' indicates an anagram.
'nut'+'so'+'sure'='nutsosure'
'nutsosure' anagrammed gives 'STRENUOUS'.

(Other definitions for strenuous that I've seen before include "Very active" , "Needing much effort" , "Vigorous" , "Taxing" , "with difficulty" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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