hard knocks

American  

[hahrd noks] / ˈhɑrd ˈnɒks /

plural noun

1. adversity or hardships.

   Wouldn't it be lovely to be able to learn life's hard lessons without life's hard knocks?

   Growing up in the Depression, my grandfather had his share of hard knocks.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hard knocks

"Everyone loved her. I grew up with Tina Turner and she was a great woman to me, with a lot of sorrow too due to life's hard knocks but absolutely someone we could admire."

From Reuters ● May 25, 2023

But Ms Blessley says "it's not a museum piece" and has faced some hard knocks.

From BBC ● Feb. 28, 2023

Brown agreed, saying, “Through the school of hard knocks, we’re better at managing through it.”

From New York Times ● Dec. 21, 2022

“I’ve had a lot of hard knocks in my life, so I am mentally preparing myself” for the worst, Erickson said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 2, 2022

Shasta cried only a very little; he was used to hard knocks.

From "The Horse and His Boy" by C.S. Lewis