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

See Examples For:

hard up

“We feel really good about Steve Hilton’s campaign. He is working so hard, up and down the state.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

Alvaro Morata works hard up front but I'd say that's the only area where you could say they don't have an outstanding player.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 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

At J.T.’s driveway, I put on my brakes, then pedaled hard up the long dirt road to his house.

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings

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