What does 'cold hard cash' mean?

[Watie]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #189 "Idioms with the word 'hard'", question 2

Many small businesses just starting up choose to accept cold ......... as their only method of payment.

(a) hard court
(b) hard core
(c) hard sell
(d) hard cash

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #189 "Idioms with the word 'hard'", answer 2

Many small businesses just starting up choose to accept cold hard cash as their only method of payment.

Correct answer: (d) hard cash

Your answer was: correct
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What does 'cold hard cash' mean?
Thanks.

[Torsten]

It just means 'cash' and no other method of payment.

TOEFL listening lectures: A university lecture by a professor of American History

[Saneta]

please explain: Many small businesses just starting up choose...?- is there 'choose' an uncountable noun here, that's why without: a/the?
shouldn't it be:
1.Many small businesses just starting up to choose...?
or
2.Many small businesses just starting up a choose...?

many thanks

[Beeesneees]

'choose' is not a noun. It's a verb.

they choose...
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Cheers m' dears!

[Alan]

Hi Saneta,

The noun is 'choice'.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple