Be/feel hard done by
phrase
To feel unjustly treated or that you have not received what you deserve.
She felt hard done by because she had done most of the work but received the least credit
Often appears as...
- feel hard done by
- feel hard done by something
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To feel unjustly treated or that you have not received what you deserve.
She felt hard done by because she had done most of the work but received the least credit
Often appears as...
- feel hard done by
- feel hard done by something
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
The phrase often conveys a strong sense of emotional disappointment or resentment.
After the promotion went to his colleague, John truly felt hard done by.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Formal
It's casual language, more suitable for informal conversations and less for formal writing.
In a chat with a friend, you might say, 'I was hard done by when they ignored my idea.'
Pro Tip 3/3British Usage
More common in British English than in American English, where different expressions might be used.
She's feeling hard done by, as I've heard my British friends say.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
The phrase often conveys a strong sense of emotional disappointment or resentment.
After the promotion went to his colleague, John truly felt hard done by.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Formal
It's casual language, more suitable for informal conversations and less for formal writing.
In a chat with a friend, you might say, 'I was hard done by when they ignored my idea.'
Pro Tip 3/3British Usage
More common in British English than in American English, where different expressions might be used.
She's feeling hard done by, as I've heard my British friends say.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
The phrase often conveys a strong sense of emotional disappointment or resentment.
After the promotion went to his colleague, John truly felt hard done by.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Formal
It's casual language, more suitable for informal conversations and less for formal writing.
In a chat with a friend, you might say, 'I was hard done by when they ignored my idea.'
Pro Tip 3/3British Usage
More common in British English than in American English, where different expressions might be used.
She's feeling hard done by, as I've heard my British friends say.
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