Old softie 

Also spelled "old softy".

Although it's listed in dictionaries as describing a weakling, an emotional fool, a pushover or similar, it is most often used in a sense to pay a compliment to a person who is not that but who, despite having a gruff or hard exterior, has a sympathetic and kind-hearted spirit, a warm way of interacting with fellow humans, especially those who are experiencing difficulties of some kind.

The actor Danny Trejo always seems to take roles of tough evil villains who take no prisoners, but in real life he's a big old softie. and a really great family man.

Nobody ever accused Margaret Thatcher of being an old softie; she was a virago who wanted to be superior to everybody.

Old softie by Piss Miggy October 29, 2023