hard case

¹ American  

noun

1. a rough, hard-bitten person.

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hard-case ² American  

[hahrd-keys] / ˈhɑrdˌkeɪs /

adjective

1. rough and hard-bitten.

   hard-case juvenile delinquents.

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Etymology

Origin of hard case¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Origin of hard-case²

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

This is usually gratifying work, but in “Vigil” she encounters a hard case: the oil baron K.J.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

The chief judge of the 5th Circuit, Priscilla Richman, wrote the majority opinion and basically just quoted big chunks of the Supreme Court’s 2012 decision to show that this is not a hard case.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2024

“It was a very hard case to solve from the onset,” he said in a video.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 28, 2023

He’s alienated from Paul, a hard case thick with sarcasm and hobbies he can’t relate to.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2023

If you don’t know how, you can end up out of control or controlled by some outside thing like that hard case last winter.

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison