hard time
noun
a period of difficulties or hardship.
hard times
-
pluralof hard time.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Workers see the headlines, hear about their friends. Crucially they hear about workers having incredibly hard times getting back into jobs, which amplifies the risk of being laid off,” he said.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026
For our ancient ancestors, this meant that if weight was lost in hard times, their bodies would be able to “get back” to their usual weight during better times.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026
But after making its only appearance in the European championship in 2000, when Ryerson was 2, the country’s soccer program hit hard times, going 18 years without playing in a major international competition.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2026
Ms. Carr is at her strongest when she’s writing about hard times in family life, especially in cases of bereavement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026
He wouldn’t come right out and tell folks I was in his store buying cheap food, but he might just pass it along that the Preston family’s in hard times, and suddenly food starts appearing.
From "Shiloh" by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
