hard knocks

A form of hard knock — Experiencing a lot of difficulties, hardships, or tough situations in life.

Similar
adversityhardship
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Meanings

noun
  1. pluralPlural of hard knock.

Synonyms & antonyms

nouna state of misfortune or affliction

Similar
adversityhardship
Broader
misfortunebad lucktough luck
Also see
adversityhardship

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Cite this entry
APA

hard knocks. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hard%20knocks

MLA

“hard knocks.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hard%20knocks. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “hard knocks,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hard%20knocks.

Source: hard knocks on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.