do (something) the hard way
(redirected from did the hard way)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.
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.
do something the hard way
COMMON If you do something the hard way, you have difficulty doing it or it is unpleasant for you to do it, often as a result of your own actions or decisions. Anything I've achieved has been done the hard way, through a lot of hard work. Ms Lomax, we can do this the hard way or the easy way.