Synonyms

hard luck

Idioms

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

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hard luck

This year’s squad has also had some hard luck, with two starters missing the ACC Tournament through injury.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 15, 2026

But after scoring only 59 and losing eight wickets in the last 10 overs of their own innings, England cannot put this defeat down to the conditions or any kind of hard luck.

From BBC ● Dec. 12, 2023

It’s possible hard luck played a role in the death disparities too.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2023

MSU has run into hard luck on multiple fronts.

From Seattle Times ● May 9, 2022

Too much hard luck can create a permanent meanness of spirit in any creature.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

hard luck

Example Sentences

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