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
Sophie, observing that she wore no jewelry of any kind except a ring, in which the diamond was so large that it must surely be paste, decided that her visitor must be "hard up."
From Poppy The Story of a South African Girl by Stockley, Cynthia
Frank happens to be hard up for a few months, and besides, there’s a reason!
From The Independence of Claire by Vaizey, George de Horne, Mrs.
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