hard up

Idioms

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]

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.

But back in 1831, he found himself rather hard up in L.A., and took work as a shipbuilder and trapper.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 22, 2024

They've gotten down the left with Josh Edwards a few times, while Alex Jakubiak is working hard up top.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 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

Mr. Leroy was looking hard up at the tavern.

From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis

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