hard up

comparative more hard up · superlative most hard up · alternative hard-up

1. colloquialLacking money; impecunious; in financial difficulties.

   1886, Jerome K. Jerome, Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow, On being hard up I can speak with authority on the subject of being hard up. I have been a provincial actor. If further evidence be required, which I do not think likely, […]

   1 more example

   Miss Frensham is young, but she is not beautiful, and to put it in that way is to pay her a noticeable compliment. She is also, I gather, regrettably hard up. Now, as I never conceal from my clients, my business is conducted on a purely financial basis […]

   1927, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], Max Carrados Mysteries

   Synonyms: almsless, arm, badly off, bankrupt, beggared, beggarly, boracic, broke

2. colloquialLacking anything.

   We were hard up for amusements.

3. broadlycolloquialDesperate.

   Dating him? She must be hard up.

present singular third person hards up · participle present harding up · participle past harded up · past harded up · alternative hard-up

1. Synonym of harden up (to become or make hard)

   Synonyms: harden up