learn the hard way
/ˌlɜːn ðə ˌhɑːd ˈweɪ/NEUTRAL · B2
Meaning
to find something out through your own mistakes
Examples
- 1I learnt the hard way that cheap shoes don't last.
- 2Many new drivers learn the hard way that parking fines are expensive.
- 3Ben learnt the hard way to back up his work after losing a whole essay.
- 4Never lend money to friends without writing it down; I learnt the hard way.
- 5Why do some people only learn the hard way, even when everyone warns them?
Grammar
learn is regular: learned or, in British English, learnt. What you found out often follows in a clause with that.
More idioms about success
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →get off the groundto start successfullybear fruitto produce good results after a lot of efforta feather in your capan achievement you can be proud ofrest on your laurelsto stop trying because of past successhit the jackpotto have a big success, usually through luckthe sky's the limitthere is no end to what you can achieve
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
Here you get a couple of questions. The app gives you 16 practice modes, native equivalents and spaced repetition that tells you when it’s time to refresh.
