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Tough guy acted to save wounded hare (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

diehard

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'tough guy' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'acted to save wounded hare' is the wordplay.
'acted' becomes 'did' (to do is to perform a particular action).
'to save' is an insertion indicator.
'wounded' indicates an anagram (I've seen this in other clues).
'hare' with letters rearranged gives 'ehar'.
'did' placed around 'ehar' is 'DIEHARD'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for diehard that I've seen before include "One to resist change" , "Obstinately conservative" , "Hire dad (anag) - one who sticks to traditional views" , "One who won't accept novelty" , "Person who resists change" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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