do (something) the hard way
To do something by using the most challenging method, or at least not the easiest method. Of course he crawled in though the window instead of just opening the unlocked back door—he has to do everything the hard way. I advised him to start his report days ago, but no, he has to do everything the hard way. If you want to do it the hard way and cross four lanes of traffic, be my guest. It's not what I would do.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
do something the hard way
to accomplish something in the most difficult manner, rather than by an easier way. I made it to this job the hard way. I came up through the ranks. She did it the hard way. She had no help from her parents.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
do/learn something the ˈhard way
learn something from experience, especially when this is unpleasant: I learned the hard way not to trust door-to-door salesmen. ♢ Why do you always do everything the hard way?Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017