The school of hard knocks

Idiom

To learn something the hard way (by experience)

Idiom

The problem with you is that you've been spoiled your whole life. You haven't had gone through the school of hard knocks to teach you what the world is really like!

I didn't go to college, but I went to the school of hard knocks. I learned everything by experience.

Synonym: The university of life

by Zami Karzai September 15, 2018

school of hard knocks

The streets

i graduated from the school of the hard knocks

by Terry June 14, 2004

hard knock life

to have a hard life' to live a gangster life

ask annie

by me January 2, 2004

school of hard knocks

Learning a lesson the hardway.

IE: you get your girlfriend pregnant and you did not use protection.

School of hard knocks says: Use protection because now you have another mouth to feed.

by lilshawn June 14, 2004

School of Hard Knocks

Nickname for Queens Borough, NYC.

"I'm from Queens, kid... the school of hard knocks."

by KHova January 3, 2006

hard knock life

a song by Jay Z. Also used by Dr Evil in the film 'Goldmember' when him and mini me are in jail.

its a hard knock life for us, its a hard knock life for us, steada treated, we get tricked, steada kisses, we get kicked....

by lewis April 7, 2004

Hard Knocking

Breaking down the door with a battering ram. Usually done by law enforcement.

The FBI came to my door hard knocking looking for drugs.

by Blinky July 6, 2004