hard knocks

hard knocks

pl.n. Informal The practical experiences of life, including hardships and disappointments: "He hadn't grown up in the school of hard knocks. Politically he had lived an easy life" (Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr.).

hard′ knocks′

n.pl.
Informal. adversity or hardships.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

hard knocks - a state of misfortune or affliction; "debt-ridden farmers struggling with adversity"; "a life of hardship"adversity, hardshipill-being - lack of prosperity or happiness or healthbad luck, ill luck, tough luck, misfortune - an unfortunate state resulting from unfavorable outcomesdisaster, catastrophe - a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune; "lack of funds has resulted in a catastrophe for our school system"; "his policies were a disaster"extremity - an extreme condition or state (especially of adversity or disease)distress - a state of adversity (danger or affliction or need); "a ship in distress"; "she was the classic maiden in distress"affliction - a state of great suffering and distress due to adversityvictimization - adversity resulting from being made a victim; "his victimization infuriated him"low-water mark, nadir - an extreme state of adversity; the lowest point of anything