Learn (something) The Hard Way Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms - What does Learn (something) The Hard Way Idiom mean?

This database is a comprehensive collection of all the American idioms and slang available. American Idioms are many and varied. We hope you enjoy our collection. We are adding more all the time. .

learn (something) the hard way What does learn (something) the hard way mean?	learn something by experience (often something unpleasant)	The young man learned things the hard way when he was sent to jail for stealing the computer.
	Some Random Idioms
have a card up one's sleeve What does "have a card up one's sleeve" mean?	have a reserve plan or a secret advantage	have a reserve plan or a secret advantageThe man had a card up his sleeve when he went to the bank to ask for more money for his business.

dyke What does "dyke" mean?	lesbian
put (someone) on hold What does "put (someone) on hold" mean?	to disconnect someone temporarily from the telephone	I phoned the bank but they put me on hold before someone spoke to me.
eager beaver What does "eager beaver" mean?	someone who works very hard and is very enthusiastic	The young girl is an eager beaver and always comes to class before the other students.
pass the hat What does "pass the hat" mean?	to attempt to collect money for some project	We passed the hat in order to raise money for the movie projector.
put one's dibs on (something) What does "put one's dibs on (something)" mean?	to lay a claim to something	I put my dibs on the most comfortable chair when I went to my friend's house.

see red What does "see red" mean?	to become very angry	My boss saw red when I told him that I would not be coming to work today.
Knight in shining armour What does "Knight in shining armour" mean?	A knight in shining armour is someone who saves you when you are in great trouble or danger.
flesh (something) out What does "flesh (something) out" mean?	to make something more detailed or bigger	We worked hard during the weekend to flesh out our agreement.
say a mouthful What does "say a mouthful" mean?	to say something of great importance/meaning/length	"You certainly said a mouthful," I said when my friend began to tell me about his complaint.

American Idioms and Expressions

Learn (something) The Hard Way Idiom