| 释义 |
hard scrabble U.S. colloq.|hɑːd ˈskræb(ə)l|
[cf. scrabble v. 4.]
1. ‘A place thought of as the acme of barrenness where a livelihood may be obtained only with great difficulty. Also attrib. Often as a proper name.’ (Dict. Americanisms.)
1804Lewis & Clark Orig. Jrnls. (1905) VII. 38 Got on our way at hard Scrable Perarie. 1904Pittsburgh Gaz. 7 July 4 In the early days of my ministry..I was sent to take charge of a little hard-scrabble circuit. 1949Sat. Even. Post 30 Apr. 22/3 She was the daughter of a hard-scrabble rancher. 1972Science 26 May 891/1 The reservoir would back up along the creek and inundate 125 small, hardscrabble farms that lay along 24 miles of the stream's flood-plain.
2. ‘A vigorous effort made under great stress.’ (Dict. Americanisms.)
1812Salem Gaz. 29 May 2/3 Presidential Hard Scrabble! 1851H. Melville Moby Dick II. xxx. 205 While taking that hard-scrabble scramble upon the dead whale's back. 1854S. Hale Lett. (1919) 7 By a well-organised hard⁓scrabble, Luc. and I get the breakfast things washed by nine o'clock. 1972Sat. Rev. 26 Feb. 31/3 [Ulster] Catholics..enjoy the benefits of..an economy that may be hardscrabble but is still substantially more prosperous than the South's. |