English

Alternative forms

• hard-up

Adverb

hard up ‎(comparative more hard up, superlative most hard up)

1. (colloquial) Lacking money, impecunious, in financial difficulties.
   • 1886, Jerome K. Jerome, Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow, On being hard up

     I can speak with authority on the subject of being hard up. I have been a provincial actor. If further evidence be required, which I do not think likely, […]

2. (colloquial) Lacking anything.

   We were hard up for amusements.

3. (colloquial) Desperate.

   Dating him? She must be hard up.

Translations

Synonyms

• See also Wikisaurus:impoverished

Anagrams

• purdah