Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
school of hard knocks. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
school of hard knocks, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
school of hard knocks in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
school of hard knocks you have here. The definition of the word
school of hard knocks will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
school of hard knocks, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
1870.
Pronunciation
Noun
school of hard knocks (plural schools of hard knocks)
- (idiomatic, chiefly US) The source of an education consisting of real-world experiences, especially adverse experiences.
1870, The Men Who Advertise: An Account of Successful Advertisers, New York: Rowell, page 161:Trained, however, in the school of hard knocks, he now had learned the theory of success, and from that time on has had it.
2000 April 26, Walter A. McDougall, “Who Were We in Vietnam?”, in New York Times, retrieved 3 Aug. 2008:Did Vietnam's school of hard knocks teach Americans to do peacemaking and state building right?
Synonyms
Translations
source of education by adverse experience
See also