hard up

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is short of money or facing financial difficulty. Example: "Jane was so hard up that she couldn't even afford rent this month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Is the person hard up?

Independent

How hard up can they really be?

The New York Times

Life was hard up north.

The Guardian

"Didn't know you were hard up".

The New York Times - Food

The better you should be hard up to sell.

The New York Times

He's dashed hard up, poor bloke, like most fellows in politics.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

But Russia is hard-up.

The Economist

Too bad, say the hard-up countries.

The Economist

Hard-up residents could skip a few months' rent.

The Economist

Michelle's family, by contrast, was hard-up but intact.

The Economist

He also appeals to hard-up protest voters.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard up", ensure the context clearly relates to financial difficulties. Avoid using it in formal or business communications where more precise language is preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "hard up" when describing situations that are merely inconvenient, not genuinely indicative of financial hardship. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard up" functions as an adjective phrase, typically describing a state of being short of money or experiencing financial difficulties. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and readily found in a range of contexts. It can also, less commonly, mean lacking something other than money.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hard up" is a common and correct way to describe someone who is experiencing financial difficulties. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to convey a lack of money or resources, often in an informal context. While it appears in news and media, it's best to avoid using it in formal or business settings, where more precise and professional language is preferred. Consider alternatives like "short of money" or ""in financial difficulty"" for increased formality. The phrase is readily understood and widely used, but be mindful of its connotation and avoid overusing it to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broke

A simpler, more direct way of saying "having no money".

short of money

Focuses specifically on the lack of financial resources.

strapped for cash

Emphasizes a temporary lack of funds.

in financial difficulty

A more descriptive phrase for having money troubles.

in dire straits

Highlights a difficult or dangerous situation, often financial.

badly off

Indicates a poor financial situation.

penniless

Describes a complete lack of money.

in the red

Suggests being in debt or having a negative balance.

impecunious

A more formal term for lacking money.

needing funds

Highlights the necessity of acquiring money.

FAQs

How can I use "hard up" in a sentence?

"Hard up" typically describes someone lacking money. For example: "After losing his job, he was really hard up."

What's a less informal alternative to "hard up"?

Consider using phrases like "in financial difficulty" or "experiencing financial hardship" for a more formal tone.

Is it correct to say "hard up for" something besides money?

While "hard up" primarily refers to financial straits, it can occasionally describe lacking something else, though this usage is less common. For instance: "They were hard up for entertainment."

What can I say instead of "hard up"?

You can use alternatives like "broke", "short of money", or "strapped for cash" depending on the context.