the hard way

noun

: in a way that involves difficult or painful experiences

He found out the hard way that crime doesn't pay.

She insisted on doing things the hard way.

Examples of the hard way in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Democratic Assembly candidate Brad Cook is finding that out the hard way, reports columnist Dan Bice. —Steven Martinez, Journal Sentinel, 3 June 2024

After learning the hard way about the risks of moving too fast with a cutting-edge technology, Cruise has slowed its breakneck development to a crawl to avoid another major mishap. —Yiwen Lu, New York Times, 30 May 2024

Then, in 2022, Ukrainians learned the hard way that you can be dragged into a fight without asking for one. —Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 19 Apr. 2024

Read more What to pack as a digital nomad Our travels have taught us how to pack for both summer and winter in one suitcase, which was a lesson learned the hard way. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Jan. 2023

Some portal lessons have to be learned the hard way. —Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 25 May 2024

Camila Cabello and Lil Nas X are learning — the hard way — not to let a man interfere with their friendship. —Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 24 May 2024

The Palo Alto eighth-grader learned that the hard way when her face started turning red and blotchy. —Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 8 May 2024

Police in Newark have opened an investigation because a local woman learned that lesson the hard way. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024