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“Hard up” is an idiom used to describe someone in a dire financial situation or missing something they need. Its origin dates back to nautical times, when it described a boat’s position. The phrase’s meaning is culturally acquired over time, and it can denote any situation where someone is lacking something.
“Hard up” is an English idiom used to describe someone or a group of people who are in a dire financial situation. These people lack the funds needed to complete a goal or simply lack money in general compared to others. Another way the phrase “hard up” is used is to describe people who are missing something they need. Like many idioms, the origin of this phrase dates back to nautical times, when it was used to describe the position of a boat being steered away from the wind.
On certain occasions, an English speaker may decide to choose a word or short phrase that is used for color or expressiveness. These words and phrases, known as idioms, may have accepted meanings that differ greatly from the actual definitions of the words they contain. Instead, these idioms acquire their meanings over time depending on how they are used in the culture. One such idiom is the phrase “hard up.”
The most common use of this phrase is as a means of denoting poverty. Someone who is described this way often doesn’t have the money they need. This phrase can be used to describe people who are perpetually in a state of poverty, or it can be used for those people who may only be in that situation temporarily. For example, someone might say, “Ever since I went to college, I’ve been struggling to repay all my loans.”
On certain occasions, the meaning of this idiom can be stretched to the point where it can denote any situation where someone is missing something. While some people lack money, other people have other needs in life that they may lack. The phrase, when used in this way, can also be used to describe a temporary need that is not being filled. For example, consider the sentence: “It’s a shame they are so hard pressed for volunteers, since they are a wonderful charitable organization.”
Many idioms come from the time when sailing ships were the primary means of transportation over long distances. When strong winds hit such a vessel, the rudder was turned to a position known as hard up to windward. The modern meaning comes from the fact that poor people are facing a financial storm.
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