How to Pronounce "the school of hard knocks"
expression
thuh SKOOL uhv HARD NOKS
thuh SKOOL ov HAHD NOKS
Definition
A humorous or informal way to say someone learned by experiencing real-life difficulties and challenges, rather than through formal schooling.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈskuɫ/ /ˈəv/ /ˈhɑɹd/ /ˈnɑks
British English
ðə, ði/ /skˈuːl/ /ˈɒv/ /hˈɑːd/ /nˈɒks
Simplified Pronunciation
US
thuh SKOOL uhv HARD NOKS
UK
thuh SKOOL ov HAHD NOKS
Listen in Context
He learned business skills at the school of hard knocks.
Life in the streets was the school of hard knocks for her.
Many lessons come from the school of hard knocks.
I never went to college, but I graduated from the school of hard knocks.