a hard-luck story

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a hard-luck story

A typically self-pitying tale of misfortune, hardship, adversity, etc., told especially to gain sympathy or charity from others. Here he goes again with some hard-luck story to get us to pay for his drinks.

a hard-ˈluck story

a story about yourself that you tell somebody in order to get their sympathy or help: He stopped me in the street and told me a long hard-luck story about his wife leaving him. All he really wanted was some money. ♢ Don’t give me any of your hard-luck stories, John. I don’t believe them.

See also: story

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

See also:

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