hard up

Idioms  

1. In need, poor, as in Unemployment is rising and many families are hard up, or With widespread emigration, Russia is finding itself hard up for scientists and other professional people. [Colloquial; early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

Fernandes is given licence to contribute in attack but, like Casemiro, has the ability to run hard up and down the pitch, getting back to defend when needed.

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2025

But back in 1831, he found himself rather hard up in L.A., and took work as a shipbuilder and trapper.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 22, 2024

And while we can't know for sure, it's likely that #2 Smith Court, hard up against the African Meeting House, was the final home Rebecca shared with Wyatt.

From Scientific American • Nov. 2, 2023

Part of the success has come from trying to refocus his approach on hitting the ball hard up the middle and to right-center.

From Seattle Times • May 27, 2023

Instead, what it meant was their parents were tight, hard up, squeezed, strapped.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds