What's a Badass?

A badass is someone who's courageous, confident, tough, strong, fearless, and who doesn't back down. Someone who doesn’t hesitate to express themselves or show who they are. No tiptoeing around the bush. No walking on eggshells. A badass knows who they are, and they aren’t afraid to stand up for themselves. 

      A badass won't let themselves be bullied. They can tolerate minor harassment, but they don't let themselves be pushed around. When they are compelled to act, they have fighting and survival skills no one would have expected. 

      A badass is ready to speak truth to power. A badass will stand up to others in the face of threats and intimidation. A badass is ready to kick ass if necessary. A badass is also someone who’s loyal and who will be there for their friends and rock with them all the way out. 

      There’s no telling a badass they’re not big enough or pretty enough or good enough. A badass knows their own abilities and doesn't have to try to impress anybody, but they can also show some swagger when doubters are around. They don't brag about themselves, and that way they catch people off guard.

      A badass will do something that nobody else thought of doing and be so bold and bodacious about it that they catch their enemies by surprise. They have street smarts and know how to get out of a jam.

      “Badass” is a term of praise, so it doesn’t apply to someone who’s a thug, victimizer, sociopath, narcissist, misogynist, or creep. 

      Shaft is a badass. John Wick is a badass. Lisbeth Salander (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) is a badass. Lorraine Broughton (in Atomic Blonde) is a badass. Sandor Clegane (The Hound, in Game of Thrones) is a badass.