Idioms containing HARD
TOP words in categories
AS HARD AS NAILS
very tough or strong (1); showing no sympathy or kindness (2)
1. Despite his age, he's still as hard as nails.
2. The manager is as hard as nails when it comes to discipline.
2. The manager is as hard as nails when it comes to discipline.
BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE
facing two difficult outcomes for the same situation
1. Ralph found out that his brother cheated on an exam, and he knows he should tell the teacher, but he is hesitating because it’s his brother. He’s caught between a rock and a hard place.
2. The doctor told his patient that he had a very contagious disease and that it was important to tell his family. When the man refused, the doctor didn’t know whether he should call his patient’s family and tell them. He was between a rock and a hard place
2. The doctor told his patient that he had a very contagious disease and that it was important to tell his family. When the man refused, the doctor didn’t know whether he should call his patient’s family and tell them. He was between a rock and a hard place
BITTER/HARD PILL TO SWALLOW
a difficult or unpleasant reality to deal with
1. John discovered the hard truth about responsibility. He didn’t get his college application in on time and the school won’t reconsider. It was a hard pill to swallow, but he had to learn the hard way.
2. Jill thought she was a good singer. When her brother told her she was tone-deaf, it was a bitter pill to swallow.
2. Jill thought she was a good singer. When her brother told her she was tone-deaf, it was a bitter pill to swallow.
DRIVE A HARD BARGAIN
negotiate firmly to get a good deal
1. During the conference, she planned to drive a hard bargain with potential partners.
2. They realized they had to drive a hard bargain to finish the deal successfully.
2. They realized they had to drive a hard bargain to finish the deal successfully.
GIVE (SOMEONE) A HARD TIME
to be difficult with someone; to give someone unnecessary difficulty
1. Patricia had not done a good job on the report, and she thought her boss would just ask her to redo it. Instead, gave her a hard time and wouldn’t stop talking about it. He gave her a hard time about the report.
2. The students gave the new teacher a hard time on his first day. They dropped their books, passed notes while he was talking, and were generally uncooperative.
2. The students gave the new teacher a hard time on his first day. They dropped their books, passed notes while he was talking, and were generally uncooperative.
HARD ACT TO FOLLOW
a person or thing that is so good that the person or thing that follows may not measure up to the same standard
1. The last manager of this department was hard-working and well-liked by everyone. I doubt anyone else will be as good as she was—she will be a hard act to follow.
2. My job here is fun, stimulating, and the pay is good. If I ever leave, it will be a hard act to follow
2. My job here is fun, stimulating, and the pay is good. If I ever leave, it will be a hard act to follow
HARD/TOUGH ROW TO HOE
a difficult task
1. Going to medical school is not going to be easy. In fact, it will be a tough row to hoe
2. Life can be a hard row to hoe. You have to put a roof over your head and food on the table, and it’s not easy for anyone.
2. Life can be a hard row to hoe. You have to put a roof over your head and food on the table, and it’s not easy for anyone.
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