Idiom
hard cheese
Meanings
A dismissive way to say you do not feel sympathy for someone’s bad situation.
Definition
Used to say you do not feel sympathy for someone’s problem, often because you think it is their own fault.
“Hard cheese” is an informal British expression meaning “that’s unfortunate, but I don’t feel sorry for you.” It is often said when someone complains and the speaker thinks they caused the problem themselves or should deal with it. It can sound rude or dismissive, so it is usually used among friends or in a teasing way.
Examples
- You missed the deadline because you didn’t start earlier? Hard cheese.
- He forgot his passport again—hard cheese.
- If you spend all your money on games, it’s hard cheese when you can’t pay rent.
- She complained about the long queue, but it was hard cheese because everyone had to wait.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use “hard cheese” to mean actual firm cheese, but in this idiom it means “no sympathy” and can sound rude.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idioms
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- down to the wire Used to say something is decided or finished only at the last possible moment.
- lost the plot To become confused or behave in a way that no longer makes sense.
- ducks in a row To have everything organized and ready for action.