[General] an ugly bruiser
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Skrej
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Ugly (not agly) has the same meaning in this sentence as it normally does - check your favorite dictionary!
It has no special or different meaning in this sentence.
It has no special or different meaning in this sentence.
JMurray
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Although "bruiser" does suggest a potential for violence, in my experience the "ugly" in this phrase has invariably referred to the person's unattractive appearance as per definition #1 in the link.
Although "bruiser" does suggest a potential for violence, in my experience the "ugly" in this phrase has invariably referred to the person's unattractive appearance as per definition #1 in the link.
kompstar
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The sentence is open to interpretation. It's possible that he's ugly (unattractive) and a bruiser (violent). It's also possible that he is being described as an "ugly bruiser" as one adjective, where "ugly" modifies/strengthens "bruiser" and gives the impression that he is a particularly violent person.
We sometimes describe people as an "ugly drunk". That has nothing to do with how attractive they are. It means that when they are drunk, they are particularly unpleasant.
We sometimes describe people as an "ugly drunk". That has nothing to do with how attractive they are. It means that when they are drunk, they are particularly unpleasant.
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Certainly in BrE, it is used as a phrase, as Emsr2d2 says, to imply that they are or look particularly violent. Without further context, that is the interpretation I would go for.
MikeNewYork
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Count me among those who don't think this is a comment on physical attractiveness.
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I take note of the other opinions here, but I'll stand by what I've posted. In my experience the not uncommon form, "I wouldn't like to meet him in a dark alley", usually follows something like "Just look at that face!", or "He's a bit scary looking". That is, it's to do with the person's appearance. Similar phrases, more like the OP's example, would be "What an ugly bastard!" or "He's an ugly bugger". So, "He's an ugly bruiser. I wouldn't like to meet him in a dark alley", seems to me to be of this nature, a comment on appearances. Perhaps we'll just have to agree to differ.
I take note of the other opinions here, but I'll stand by what I've posted. In my experience the not uncommon form, "I wouldn't like to meet him in a dark alley", usually follows something like "Just look at that face!", or "He's a bit scary looking". That is, it's to do with the person's appearance. Similar phrases, more like the OP's example, would be "What an ugly bastard!" or "He's an ugly bugger". So, "He's an ugly bruiser. I wouldn't like to meet him in a dark alley", seems to me to be of this nature, a comment on appearances. Perhaps we'll just have to agree to differ.
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