Definition

Noun: - Bad luck; an unfortunate situation: An informal, often slightly old-fashioned British expression used to acknowledge someone's misfortune, typically with a tone that is not deeply sympathetic. It can sometimes imply that the speaker thinks the listener should accept the situation without complaint.

Usage

This phrase is used as a standalone exclamation or a short comment to respond to someone's complaint or story about a minor misfortune. It is not typically used for genuine tragedies. - It often carries a connotation of mild, unsympathetic dismissal. - It is primarily used in British English.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can be used ironically or sarcastically to show a complete lack of sympathy.
  • You spent all your money and now you're broke? Hard cheese!

Variants and Related Words

• Tough luck: (idiom) A very similar American English equivalent meaning bad luck.
• Bad luck: The direct, neutral synonym.
• Hard lines: (British idiom) Another expression with a very similar meaning and usage to "hard cheese".

Synonyms

• Tough luck
• Bad luck
• Tough break
• Too bad

Related Idioms

• That's the way the cookie crumbles: An idiom meaning "that's how things happen sometimes," used to accept an unfortunate but unchangeable situation. It is more philosophical than "hard cheese."
• Serves you right: An idiom used when someone's misfortune is seen as a deserved consequence of their actions. This is more accusatory than "hard cheese."

Noun

1. bad luck