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

Tidewater gobies are a hardy fish fallen on hard luck.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 23, 2025

He must now prove he can be the winner England wants at the fourth time of asking rather than telling the same the hard luck story of his three previous tournaments in charge.

From BBC ● Dec. 18, 2022

This season, after some hard luck early, Eberle has scored six times his past 11 games entering Thursday’s game — coinciding with the best stretch of team play in franchise history.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 1, 2022

“At the junction of hard luck and bad times,” I answer.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland

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

hard luck

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