tough luck
phrase
informal
—used in speech to show sympathy for someone who has failed or has been disappointed
You lost your job? Oh, tough luck.
—often used in an ironic way to show that one does not feel sympathy for someone"I need more time to finish the job." "Tough luck. You knew the job was supposed to be done by today."
Cite this Entry
“Tough luck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tough%20luck. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
