hard-put

[ hahrd-poot ]

adjective

1. hard ( def 57 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of hard-put¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

But conspiracy theorists will be hard put to connect the dots.

From The Daily Beast

He who had always been poor, and had often been hard put to it to pay for food and clothes, found himself ridiculously wealthy.

From Project Gutenberg

I lived on a ranch in California, and was hard put to find the ladder whereby to climb.

From Project Gutenberg

A man in Brocton's position must be hard put to it to turn traitor in this strange fashion.

From Project Gutenberg

Osmo was an industrious youth, but the farm was small and barren and he was hard put to it to make a livelihood.

From Project Gutenberg

The Peasants are so hard put to it to preserve their Corn that they are oblig'd to watch it day and night.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• constrained
• labored
• stiff
• tense
• tight
• uneasy