Hard luck/lines
noun
Unfortunate circumstances or bad fortune that someone suffers.
Well, that’s hard luck, but there’s nothing I can do to help.
Often appears as...
- that's hard luck
- bad hard luck
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
interjection
An expression showing no sympathy for someone's misfortune.
You missed the train? Hard luck!
Often appears as...
- hard luck mate
- hard luck to you
Usage tips
Informal, Mocking
Idiomatic
noun
Difficult conditions or severe trials in someone's life.
He's had a very hard life, filled with hard lines.
Often appears as...
- faced hard lines
- filled with hard lines
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
Unfortunate circumstances or bad fortune that someone suffers.
Well, that’s hard luck, but there’s nothing I can do to help.
Often appears as...
- that's hard luck
- bad hard luck
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
interjection
An expression showing no sympathy for someone's misfortune.
You missed the train? Hard luck!
Often appears as...
- hard luck mate
- hard luck to you
Usage tips
Informal, Mocking
Idiomatic
noun
Difficult conditions or severe trials in someone's life.
He's had a very hard life, filled with hard lines.
Often appears as...
- faced hard lines
- filled with hard lines
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Empathy Expected
Use it where you might expect understanding or support from others due to bad circumstances.
After losing the contest, she said, 'That's hard luck,' hoping for a hug.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Outcome
It expresses a negative outcome that couldn't be predicted or controlled.
He trained hard but still lost the race. Well, that’s just hard luck.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Overly Formal
The phrase is not very formal; more suitable for casual conversation.
She missed the bus due to a flat tire? That's hard luck.
Pro Tip 1/3Empathy Expected
Use it where you might expect understanding or support from others due to bad circumstances.
After losing the contest, she said, 'That's hard luck,' hoping for a hug.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Outcome
It expresses a negative outcome that couldn't be predicted or controlled.
He trained hard but still lost the race. Well, that’s just hard luck.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Overly Formal
The phrase is not very formal; more suitable for casual conversation.
She missed the bus due to a flat tire? That's hard luck.
Pro Tip 1/3Empathy Expected
Use it where you might expect understanding or support from others due to bad circumstances.
After losing the contest, she said, 'That's hard luck,' hoping for a hug.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Outcome
It expresses a negative outcome that couldn't be predicted or controlled.
He trained hard but still lost the race. Well, that’s just hard luck.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Overly Formal
The phrase is not very formal; more suitable for casual conversation.
She missed the bus due to a flat tire? That's hard luck.
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