hard luck

1. Misfortune, adversity, as in He's had a lot of hard luck in his day. This expression is also used in the phrase hard-luck story, a tale of one's misfortune that is related in order to get sympathy (or a donation). For example, We can't ignore her hard-luck story, even if you doubt that it's true. [Second half of 1500s] Also see tough break.

Example Sentences

Niky Brown, who owns Hard Luck Tattoo on King Street, said he had "nothing left" following the blaze.

From BBC

Tidewater gobies are a hardy fish fallen on hard luck.

From Los Angeles Times

He added that the upheaval was indicative of the hard luck of California Republicans.

From Los Angeles Times

They will also tell a hard luck story after referee Michael Oliver's declined to award a penalty after the video assistant referee studied what looked like a handball by Jack Grealish from Cole Palmer's second-half free-kick before deciding no offence had been committed.

From BBC

The time for hard luck stories and excuses has gone.

From BBC

Related Words

• adversity 
• affliction 
• bad luck 
• calamity 
• cataclysm 
• catastrophe 
• debacle 
• disadvantage 
• disappointment 
• discomfort 
• hardship 
• inconvenience 
• misadventure 
• misery 
• mishap 
• setback 
• tragedy 
• tribulation