# school of hard knocks

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/school-of-hard-knocks
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The source of an education consisting of real-world experiences, especially adverse experiences.

## Examples

- He learned how to run a business in the school of hard knocks.
- She never finished college, but she gained plenty of wisdom from the school of hard knocks while working in the city.
- His pragmatic approach to leadership was not forged in a classroom, but rather through the school of hard knocks during his years of navigating difficult economic crises.

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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.