tough luck
idiom
informal
—used in speech to show sympathy for someone who has failed or has been disappointed
You lost your job? Oh, tough luck.
—often used in an ironic way to show that one does not feel sympathy for someone"I need more time to finish the job." "Tough luck. You knew the job was supposed to be done by today."
Examples of tough luck in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Even with the tough luck through 15 races, Reddick and Wallace are sixth and 10th in the standings, respectively.
—
Joseph Wolkin, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Aside from tough luck with injuries, that’s what it’s been like so far this season.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 28 May 2025
His reaction boiled down to the free-market equivalent of tough luck.
—Rob Copeland, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Loula McNamara was the tough luck losing pitcher for Tesoro.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2025
The first may have simply been tough luck, as Drysdale was initially the lone defender on a two-on-one rush.
—Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Most of them had been birthed into tough luck and raised in the quicksand of rural poverty.
—John Branch, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
The runner on third scored, resulting in a tough luck sac fly for Edman, and Taylor undoubtedly saved the runner on first from scoring.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 17 Oct. 2024
Game 1: Royals snap losing streak with 4-1 win over Marlins
Game 2: Royals bullpen spoils Seth Lugo’s marvelous start against Marlins
Here are more notable aspects of Wednesday’s game:
Another quality start for Brady Singer
Singer was the latest Royals starter to receive a bit of tough luck.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2024
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Joseph Wolkin, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Aside from tough luck with injuries, that’s what it’s been like so far this season.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 28 May 2025
His reaction boiled down to the free-market equivalent of tough luck.
—Rob Copeland, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Loula McNamara was the tough luck losing pitcher for Tesoro.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2025
The first may have simply been tough luck, as Drysdale was initially the lone defender on a two-on-one rush.
—Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Most of them had been birthed into tough luck and raised in the quicksand of rural poverty.
—John Branch, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
The runner on third scored, resulting in a tough luck sac fly for Edman, and Taylor undoubtedly saved the runner on first from scoring.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 17 Oct. 2024
Game 1: Royals snap losing streak with 4-1 win over Marlins
Game 2: Royals bullpen spoils Seth Lugo’s marvelous start against Marlins
Here are more notable aspects of Wednesday’s game:
Another quality start for Brady Singer
Singer was the latest Royals starter to receive a bit of tough luck.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2024
Cite this Entry
“Tough luck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tough%20luck. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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