Definition

1. Adjective (Predicative): In a difficult situation; having great difficulty or trouble doing or achieving something. This form is almost always used in the phrase "hard put to do something" or "hard put (to it)."

Usage

The phrase hard put describes a state of being challenged or strained to the limit of one's ability or resources. It is used to emphasize that something is very difficult to accomplish. * It is typically followed by an infinitive ("to find," "to say," "to meet"). * It can be intensified with adverbs like "very," "rather," or "hardly."

Examples

• Adjective:
  • I would be hard put to name a better film from last year. (I would find it very difficult to name a better film.)
  • With the sudden blizzard, the rescue team was hard put to reach the stranded hikers. (The team faced great difficulty in reaching them.)
  • After the explanation, she was hard put to understand his reasoning. (She still found it extremely difficult to understand.)

Advanced Usage

• "hard put to it": An older or more formal variant with the same meaning.
  • The small business was hard put to it to survive the economic downturn.
• "hard put to do something": The standard construction, indicating the specific action that is difficult.
  • You'd be hard put to find a more dedicated employee.

Variants and Related Words

• Hard-pressed (adj): Experiencing severe difficulty, especially due to a lack of time, money, or resources. Often used interchangeably with "hard put" in financial contexts.
  • The hard-pressed consumers welcomed the tax cut.
• Hard-pushed (adj): Very similar to "hard-pressed," emphasizing being under great pressure or difficulty.
  • I'd be hard-pushed to finish this report by tomorrow.

Synonyms

• Hard-pressed: Facing difficulty, especially from pressure or lack of resources.
• Hard-pushed: Under severe strain to accomplish something.
• Hard-pressed (to do something): Finding it extremely difficult.
• At a loss: Uncertain and unsure of what to do or say.
• In a quandary: In a state of perplexity or uncertainty.

Related Phrases

• To be hard put to do something: The standard phrasal construction.
  • Any scientist would be hard put to explain that result.
• To find oneself hard put: To realize one is in a difficult situation.
  • He found himself hard put to justify his actions.

Adjective

1. facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty
   • distressed companies need loans and technical advice
   • financially hard-pressed Mexican hotels are lowering their prices
   • we were hard put to meet the mortgage payment
   • found themselves in a bad way financially