Unpleasant idiot Americans say is tough (6)

I believe the answer is:

badass

'americans say is tough' is the definition.

'unpleasant idiot' is the wordplay.
'unpleasant' becomes 'bad'.
'idiot' becomes 'ass' (I've seen this before).
'bad'+'ass'='BADASS'

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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