PhrasesHub

Hard cheese

    Definitions

      • expressing sympathy
        To express sympathy or commiseration for someone who has had bad luck or has been treated unfairly

      • tough luck
        To convey the message of "tough luck" or "that's too bad," usually in a lighthearted or casual manner

    Examples of Hard cheese

    • "Hard cheese to you too!" said John, as he walked away from the cheese platter at the party.

      This is an idiomatic expression that means "goodbye" or "farewell," but with a humorous twist. The phrase "hard cheese" literally means "hard cheese" in English, but it is not a commonly used expression to refer to cheese. In this context, the expression is used sarcastically, as John is not able to take any more cheese from the platter and is saying "goodbye" to the idea of eating more cheese. The exclamation point at the end gives it a slightly abrupt tone.

    • After losing the game, the coach sighed and said, "Hard cheese!" to the team.

      In this example, the coach is expressing disappointment or frustration with the loss, and is using the expression "hard cheese" as a way of saying "that's tough luck" or "unfortunate." The expression highlights the disappointing outcome of the game and indicates that there is little the team can do about it.

    • The store ran out of the cheese that Jane loves, and the salesperson said, "Hard cheese! We're sorry, but it's out of stock right now."

      Here, the salesperson is apologizing to Jane because the store does not have the specific type of cheese that she wants. By using the expression "hard cheese," the salesperson is acknowledging the disappointment and frustration that Jane probably feels, while also being polite and apologetic about the situation.

    • When Sarah heard that her favorite cheese was now being sold at the grocery store, she exclaimed, "Hard cheese, I've been waiting for this day!"

      In this example, Sarah is expressing her excitement and enthusiasm for being able to buy her favorite cheese at a new location. The expression "hard cheese" in this context is being used in a more positive and lighthearted way, as Sarah is positive about the situation and finds humor in the expression. The exclamation point at the end gives it an enthusiastic and excited tone.

    • "I'm sorry you feel that way, but hard cheese. I'm not changing my mind," said the stubborn friend.

      The idiom "hard cheese" is an old English expression meaning "tough luck" or "no sympathy." It's often used in response to an unpleasant situation or when refusing to change a decision. In this example, the friend is unwilling to alter their position despite their friend's concerns. The use of "hard cheese" conveys a sense of finality and reluctance to compromise.

    • "I can't believe you got the promotion over me. Hard cheese. I've been working just as hard," complained the disgruntled coworker.

      In this example, the coworker is using "hard cheese" to express their frustration at being passed over for a promotion. The phrase is often used when someone feels they deserve better treatment than they're receiving. Here, the coworker is implying that they believe they deserve to be promoted based on their efforts.

    • "I don't know what to do. I just can't seem to catch a break. Hard cheese, I guess," sighed the despondent individual.

      In this example, the person is using "hard cheese" to indicate that they're facing a difficult situation and feel like they're being mistreated. The phrase suggests a sense of hopelessness and resignation, as if the individual sees no other course of action but to accept their misfortune.

    • "I tried to negotiate a better deal, but the seller wouldn't budge. Hard cheese, I guess we'll just have to pay the asking price," said the disappointed buyer.

      In this example, the phrase "hard cheese" highlights the negotiations that have failed. It implies the idea of acceptance for the current situation, and resignation because the seller doesn't seem willing to compromise. This example shows that "hard cheese" can be used in business or financial contexts to indicate that a deal or negotiation has not been successful.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "hard cheese" is used in two different ways. Firstly, it is used to express sympathy towards someone who has experienced misfortune or unfair treatment. Secondly, it is used to convey the message of "tough luck" in a more casual or lighthearted manner.

    Origin of "Hard cheese"

    The origin of the idiom "hard cheese" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in Britain in the early 20th century. The phrase "hard cheese" is thought to have originated from the literal meaning of hard, stale cheese being undesirable and difficult to consume. This concept was then applied metaphorically to express sympathy or commiseration for someone who has had bad luck or has been treated unfairly. Over time, the idiom has become a common expression in English-speaking countries to convey sympathy or to express casual commiseration.