be hard up
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
George laughs gruffly: “You lot must be hard up for heroes.”
From The Guardian • Jun. 11, 2018
The finding that loneliness can be contagious also caught some readers off-guard—wouldn't lonely souls be hard up for people to infect?
From Slate • Apr. 7, 2010
He was known to be hard up but refused to account for the money and was given a berth in the county jail.
From Newspaper Reporting and Correspondence A Manual for Reporters, Correspondents, and Students of Newspaper Writing by Hyde, Grant Milnor
You never knowed what it means to be hard up, I reckon; never had no trouble at all; no husband to up an' leave you and not a soul to lean on.
From The Reclaimers by McCarter, Margaret Hill
Must be hard up for an honest man if she takes on Karl.”
From Grit Lawless by Young, F.E. Mills
