tough/bad luck

bad luck

1. Literally, an instance or period of misfortune. I had bad luck this year, first losing my job and then being divorced by my wife.

2. Said as an expression of condolences to a person who suffered or is suffering a misfortune. A: "They decided to hire someone else for the position." B: "Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. Bad luck, man."

See also: bad, luck

tough luck

1. noun Adverse circumstances resulting in misfortune or hardships; bad luck. John's had some tough luck lately—he really can't seem to catch a break.

2. adjective Involving such circumstances. When used as an adjective, the term is often hyphenated. The deadline is non-negotiable, so don't come to me with some tough-luck story about how you couldn't finish your assignment.

3. interjection I have no sympathy for the situation you are in or how you feel about it. A: "When you said I'd be getting a car for my birthday, I didn't think it would be some beat-up old van like this!" B: "Tough luck! You should be thankful to have a car at all!"

See also: luck, tough

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

tough luck

 and tough cookies

That is too bad. (Said as a reply to someone relating an unfortunate situation.) Tough luck, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. That's too bad, tough cookies.

See also: luck, tough

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

bad luck

see under run of luck.

See also: bad, luck

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

tough/bad ˈluck

(informal)
1 (British English) used to show sympathy for something unfortunate that has happened to somebody: ‘I failed by one point.’ ‘That’s tough luck.’
2 (also tough) (also tough ˈshit, tough ˈtitty taboo, slang) (ironic) used to show that you do not feel sorry for somebody who has a problem: ‘If you take the car, I won’t be able to go out.’ ‘Tough luck!’ ♢ If you don’t like the idea, tough. You should have said something earlier.

See also: bad, luck, tough

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

tough luck

and tough cookies

interj. That is too bad. Tough luck, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Tough cookies, Tom! That’s life.

See also: luck, tough

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.