To have a life that is difficult, where the elements of the world seem to be against you all the time.
For example, life on the streets, the life of a hustler or a dealer.
Jay-Z's "Hard Knock Life"
It's a hard knock life for us, it's a hard knock life for us, instead of treated, we get tricked, instead of kisses, we get kicked, it's a hard knock life
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actually the song is originally from annie. it's harder to be a red headed orphan then a gangsta.
you think you got it bad? annie had a hard knock life, bitch.
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Life itself; knowledge (and wisdom) gained by working for it, and not necessarily from a book.
You can learn more common sense from the school of hard knocks, than from most any university.
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Your white trashy cousin studied there according to his Facebook page.
"Honey, where did your cousin go to school?"
"Well according to his Facebook page he has Studied at the school of hard knocks"
"I'll put that in his obituary."
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The practical experience of life, including hardship and disappointments.
Often used by those who couldn't/didn't go to college for whatever reason and instead went through hardships and disappointments.
He pulled himself up by the bootstraps and made his way through the school of hard knocks.
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1a. Descriptive of the many violent, scary and/or emotionally difficult events that give young people their "smarts" and teach them about the daily struggle to survive in the streets.
1b. Something that an ignorant fuckwit who wouldn't know what to do with a book even if he/she owned one says when he/she finds out that you went further in education than him/her.
1a. "I, on the other hand, am a fully rounded human being, with a degree from the University of Life, a diploma from the School of Hard Knocks, and four gold stars from the Kindergarten of Getting The Shit Kicked Out Of Me." - Blackadder
1b. "College? Me? Nah. School of hard knocks, mate, school of hard knocks."
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Someone who lives a life full of hardships.
I'm homeless, lost an eye, got shot, I'm addicted to drugs, and persistently tortured by God for all my sins. It's a hard knock life...
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