English noun: hard knocks | |||
1. | hard knocks (state) a state of misfortune or affliction | ||
Samples | Debt-ridden farmers struggling with adversity. A life of hardship. | ||
Synonyms | adversity, hardship | ||
Broader (hypernym) | bad luck, ill luck, misfortune, tough luck | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | affliction, catastrophe, disaster, distress, extremity, ill-being, low-water mark, nadir, victimization | ||