hard lines

A phrase used to express one's sympathy for someone else. A: "I got drenched on my walk to work because I forgot my umbrella." B: "Aw, hard lines." I just heard that Janet broke up with you. Hard lines, buddy, I'm sorry. A: "They did put an offer in on that house, but someone outbid them yet again." B: "Ugh, hard lines."

hard luck

1. modifier Of or characterized by misfortune, hardship, adversity, etc. I can understand John's tendency to drink, as he's led quite a hard-luck life. Here he goes again with some hard-luck story to get us to pay for his drinks. A: "That poor kid's had a hard-luck career in the majors." B: "I know, so much talent and so many injuries."

2. noun Misfortune, hardship, adversity, etc. I've been having a lot of hard luck lately. It just seems like nothing is going right for me! That celebrity family is caught up in another scandal? Wow, they’ve certainly had a run of hard luck this year. "Hard luck" is an understatement! After losing my job, I found out that I won't be entitled to any unemployment payments while I look for work.

3. An expression of sympathy or condolences for someone who has experienced some slight or mild misfortune or hardship. I just heard that Janet broke up with you. That's hard luck, buddy. A: "I got drenched on my walk to work because I forgot my umbrella." B: "Aw, hard luck." A: "They did put an offer in on that house, but someone outbid them yet again." B: "Ugh, hard luck."

hard luck

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.

ˌhard ˈluck/ˈlines

(British English) used to tell somebody that you feel sorry for them: ‘Failed again, I’m afraid.’ ‘Oh, hard luck.’

hard luck/lines

hard lines

hard luck

hard luck

ˌhard ˈluck/ˈlines