hard up
Definition
Adjective: 1. Lacking sufficient money; in financial difficulty: The primary meaning describes a state of not having enough money to pay for basic needs or to afford things one wants or needs. 2. Experiencing a shortage or lack of something (less common): Can be used informally to indicate a scarcity of something non-monetary.
Usage
The adjective "hard up" is used to describe a person's or group's financial situation. It is typically used after a linking verb like be, feel, or look. * It is more informal than terms like "impoverished" or "indigent" but is common in everyday speech. * It often implies a temporary or relative state of need rather than absolute poverty.
Examples
- Financial lack:
- After losing his job, he was really hard up and had to borrow money from friends.
- The charity helps families who are hard up during the winter months.
- I'm too hard up to go on vacation this year.
- Non-monetary lack (informal):
- I'm hard up for new ideas. (I lack new ideas.)
- The team is hard up for experienced players. (The team lacks experienced players.)
Advanced Usage
- "hard up for [something]": This construction specifies what is lacking.
- The company isn't hard up for cash, but it is hard up for skilled engineers.
Variants and Related Words
- Hard-up (hyphenated): Often used when the adjective precedes a noun.
- A hard-up student looking for part-time work.
Synonyms
- Broke: (informal) Having no money.
- Short of cash/money: Lacking ready money.
- Penniless: Having no money at all.
- Strapped (for cash): (informal) In need of money.
- Impoverished: (formal) Very poor.
Antonyms
- Wealthy
- Affluent
- Well-off
- Flush (with cash)
Adjective
-
not having enough money to pay for necessities
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