# deal a bad hand

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/deal-a-bad-hand
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To assign unfavorable circumstances in life to someone.

## Examples

- Life dealt him a bad hand, but he keeps working hard.
- She was dealt a bad hand with her health, yet she remains the most optimistic person I know.
- Though he was dealt a bad hand by circumstances beyond his control, he refused to let his difficult upbringing define his future success.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.