Pronunciation: /hɑːrd ʌp/
adjective in difficult circumstances; lacking money or resources
A1 I am hard up for cash this month.
A2 She's been hard up for work since losing her job.
B1 The company was hard up for resources to complete the project on time.
B2 Despite being hard up for time, he still managed to finish the assignment.
C1 The artist was hard up for inspiration, but eventually found it in nature.
C2 Even though they were hard up for space, they managed to fit all the furniture in the room.
adverb in a difficult or desperate situation
A1 I am hard up for cash this month.
A2 She is hard up for time to finish her project.
B1 The company was hard up for resources to complete the project on time.
B2 The team was hard up for skilled workers to meet the deadline.
C1 The country was hard up for international support during the economic crisis.
C2 The organization was hard up for innovative ideas to stay ahead of the competition.
formal Due to unforeseen circumstances, the family found themselves hard up and struggling to make ends meet.
informal I'm a bit hard up this month, so I can't go out for dinner with you guys.
slang I'm really hard up for cash right now, I need to find a way to make some quick money.
figurative After losing his job, he felt hard up for opportunities and wasn't sure what to do next.
hard upped
hard ups
hard upper
hardest up
hard up
will be hard up
have been hard up
am hard up
hard up
hard up
to hard up
hard upping
hard upped