hard knocks

American  

[hahrd noks] / ˈhɑrd ˈnɒks /

plural noun

1. adversity or hardships.

   Wouldn't it be lovely to be able to learn life's hard lessons without life's hard knocks?

   Growing up in the Depression, my grandfather had his share of hard knocks.

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Example Sentences

Most of us learn this by about third grade, when parents and hard knocks teach us how to figure out whom you can trust, and who will eat you for lunch.

From Los Angeles Times

Ritter fleshes out Liz and shows more of her vulnerable side through flashbacks to the hard knocks she experienced in her emotionally turbulent past.

From Los Angeles Times

Dubois is a graduate of the literal school of hard knocks.

From BBC

"Everyone loved her. I grew up with Tina Turner and she was a great woman to me, with a lot of sorrow too due to life's hard knocks but absolutely someone we could admire."

From Reuters

But Ms Blessley says "it's not a museum piece" and has faced some hard knocks.

From BBC