hard lines
A dated British slang expression for bad luck or misfortune — similar in feel to 'hard cheese' or 'tough luck.' Used sympathetically to acknowledge that someone has had a rough deal.
Definitions
A dated British slang expression for bad luck or misfortune — similar in feel to 'hard cheese' or 'tough luck.' Used sympathetically to acknowledge that someone has had a rough deal. The phrase suggests fate has dealt a harsh line rather than a lucky one. Largely obsolete but still recognisable in older British fiction.
Hard lines that you missed the train — next one's not for two hours.
Comments
(slang, dated) ; misfortune.
Comments
Have a better definition?
Add your own interpretation of "hard lines".
🗺️About Regional & Other slang
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.
Tags
Other words near "hard lines" (H)
Browse all slang words starting with H.
Related terms
People also read
Semantically related
- hard out66%
(business jargon) An immovable deadline, at which time someone must leave somewhere, or something must conclude.
- hard case65%
(slang, mildly, derogatory) A tough person.
- hard case63%
(New Zealand, slang) An amusing, funny, witty, or possibly strange person.
- hard-ass63%
(vulgar, slang) Tough, uncompromising and inflexible.