hard lines
British sympathy phrase
Hard lines is a British expression of sympathy for someone's bad luck or misfortune—roughly equivalent to "tough break" or "too bad": Hard lines, old chap, maybe next time.
The phrase sounds dated and somewhat formal to American ears.
It can also be used dismissively when sympathy is insincere: Hard lines if you don't like it.
Dismissive acknowledgment of misfortune
- bad breakUnfortunate turn of events
- adversitySevere difficulty or suffering
- setbackReverse in progress
- misfortuneAdverse circumstance or event
tribulation · woe · suffering · reversal · disappointment · trouble · calamity · distress
Pity expressed for suffering
- consolationComfort during distress
- condolenceExpression of shared grief
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- empathySharing another's emotions
understanding · concern · solace · support · sensitivity · kindness · warmth · tenderness
Policy allowing no infractions
- cutoffsJeans trimmed into shorts
- thresholdsEntry boundaries or limits
tough luck
Dismissive acknowledgment of misfortune
- bad breakUnfortunate turn of events
- adversitySevere difficulty or suffering
- setbackReverse in progress
misfortune · tribulation · woe · suffering · reversal · disappointment · trouble · calamity · distress · defeat
commiseration
Pity expressed for suffering
- consolationComfort during distress
- condolenceExpression of shared grief
- compassionConcern for others' distress
empathy · understanding · concern · solace · support · sensitivity · kindness · warmth · tenderness · caring
zero tolerance
Policy allowing no infractions
- cutoffsJeans trimmed into shorts
- thresholdsEntry boundaries or limits
hard linescongratulations
Expression of praise for achievement
well done · good for you · nice one · good on you · bravo
hard linesgood luck
Favorable chance or fortune
lucky break · stroke of luck · fortunate · jammy · blessed
hard, line, lines, harder, hardest, harden, hardened, hardening, hardness