Crossword Genius

Tough guys losing money and temper (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

harden

'temper' is the definition.
('harden' can be a synonym of 'temper')

'tough guys losing money' is the wordplay.
'tough' becomes 'hard' ('hard' can be a synonym of 'tough'**).
'guys' becomes 'men'.
'losing' suggests deleting specific letters.
'money' becomes 'm' (abbreviation in economics).
'men' with 'm' taken out is 'en'.
'hard'+'en'='HARDEN'

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for harden that I've seen before include "Become less sympathetic" , "Become firm and solid" , "Temper, steel say" , "Set; become tougher" , "Steel oneself" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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