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

They are now pushing hard up against their cost-cap limit.

From BBC • Oct. 29, 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

Fitzgerald was hard up for money, and he sold each story to Esquire for $250.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2023

“I’m sure that was hard up there. You were a good sport.”

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison