How do you use "Hard up" in a sentence?

We're a bit hard up this month. Times were hard up after the factory closed. He's always claiming to be hard up.

Hard up

Q: What does "Hard up" mean?

Short of money, in financial difficulty Experiencing financial hardship, struggling for money. Not necessarily completely broke, but definitely feeling the pinch and unable to afford things easily.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

Meaning: Short of money, in financial difficulty

缺钱，经济困难

Escaso de dinero, con dificultades económicas

金欠、経済的に苦しい

돈이 부족한, 경제적으로 어려운

Experiencing financial hardship, struggling for money. Not necessarily completely broke, but definitely feeling the pinch and unable to afford things easily.

经历经济困难，为钱发愁。不一定完全破产，但确实感到手头紧，无法轻松负担开销。

Experimentar dificultades económicas, tener problemas de dinero. No necesariamente completamente arruinado, pero sin duda notando el aprieto y sin poder permitirse cosas fácilmente.

経済的な困難を経験していて、お金に苦労している状態。完全に無一文というわけではないが、確実に家計が苦しく、簡単にものを買えない。

경제적으로 어려운 상태—완전히 빈털터리는 아니지만 쪼들리는 것. 영구적인 빈곤보다는 힘든 시기를 암시한다.

Examples

We're a bit hard up this month.
我们这个月有点紧
Estamos un poco justos de dinero este mes
今月はちょっと金欠だ
이번 달은 좀 쪼들린다.
Times were hard up after the factory closed.
工厂关闭后日子很难过
Los tiempos fueron difíciles después de que cerró la fábrica
工場が閉鎖した後は苦しい時期だった
공장이 문을 닫은 후 어려운 시기였다.
He's always claiming to be hard up.
他总说自己没钱
Siempre dice que anda mal de dinero
彼はいつも金がないと言っている
그는 항상 돈이 없다고 주장한다.

Pronunciation

/hɑːd ʌp/

Usage Guide

Context: finances, struggles, poverty

Tone: rueful, understated

✓ Do Say

A bit hard up
有点手头紧
Un poco justo de dinero
ちょっと金欠で
좀 쪼들려
Times are hard up
日子不好过
Los tiempos están difíciles
厳しい時期だ
살기 빠듯해

✗ Don't Say

Understated way to say struggling
含蓄地表达经济困难
Forma discreta de decir que se tienen dificultades
苦しいことを控えめに言う表現
대부분의 상황에서 쓸 수 있어요

Common Mistakes

None—widely understood

Origin & History

British expression from the 19th century. 'Hard' means difficult, and being 'up against it' financially means struggling. Combined, 'hard up' means in difficult financial circumstances.

Etymology: Hard (difficult) + up (against it)

First recorded: 19th century British

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: British understatement

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

Hard upA bit hard upHard up for cash