hard-luck story
Tale of woe
A hard-luck story is a tale of misfortune told to elicit sympathy or assistance: He gave me some hard-luck story about losing his job.
The term often implies skepticism—suggesting the story may be exaggerated or fabricated to manipulate the listener.
Someone always has a hard-luck story when they need money.
- unfortunateDeserving of pity
- tale of woeNarrative of suffering
- tough breakUnfortunate turn of events
- excuseOffered reason for wrongdoing
- crocodile tearsInsincere show of sadness
sympathy · pathos · tear jerker · setback · homelessness · compassion · bleeding heart · sentimentality · adversity · trouble · bankruptcy · pity · struggle · failure · downfall · riches to rags · poverty · rags-to-riches
hard-luck storysuccess story
Narrative of achievement
Cinderella story · fairy tale ending · comeback story · lucky break · stroke of luck
hard-luck storyhumble brag
Boast dressed as complaint
brag · boast · victory lap · self-congratulation · crowning achievement
hard-luck storytriumph over adversity
Succeed despite obstacles
hero's journey · self-made success · pulling oneself up by one's bootstraps · humble brag
hard, luck, story, harder, hardest, harden, hardened, hardening, hardness