tough luck
Bad luck.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“You lost your ticket? That is tough luck.”
“I wanted to go to the concert, but it sold out, so tough luck for me.”
“He hoped for a promotion, but when the company announced the layoffs, he realized it was simply tough luck.”
- 01
as luck may have it
Synonym of as luck would have it (“by chance, luckily”).
- 02
be in luck
To be lucky in getting something that one wants.
- 03
better luck next time
Used to wish somebody hope in future success after a failure.
- 04
devil's luck
astounding good luck.
- 05
do it tough
To be in a desperate situation; to struggle.
- 06
down on one's luck
Unlucky or undergoing a period of bad luck, especially with respect to financial matters.
- 07
dumb luck
pure chance; luck
- 08
hang tough
To remain strong-willed or brave, especially when experiencing duress or adversity.
Last updated August 10, 2026