the hard way
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.
“So I tend to hire older teenagers who can spend a few months with us after having that basic training. I learned the hard way, from experience.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026
The U.S. is learning this the hard way.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
As West Ham found out the hard way on Saturday afternoon when they were thrashed 3-0 by Brentford, poor performances and dropped points are being punished emphatically by rivals this time around.
From BBC • May 4, 2026
We should banish it, because I’ve learned the hard way that it’s too abstract.
From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026
Everyone here had worked their way up through the ranks the hard way.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
