1888. Missouri Republican, 2 Mar. Prices were at hard pan.
To get down to hard-pan, verb. phr. (American).—To buckle to; to get to business.
Hard-puncher, subs. (common).—The fur cap of the London rough; formerly worn by men in training; a modification of the Scotch cap with a peak. [From the nickname of a noted pugilist.]
Hard-pushed, adv. (colloquial).—In difficulties; hard-up (q.v.).
a. 1871. Perils of Pearl Street, p. 123. As I said, at the end of six months we began to be hard-pushed. Our credit, however, was still fair.
Hard Put To, adj. phr. (colloquial).—In a difficulty, monetary or other; e.g., He’d be hard put to it to find a sovereign (or a word, or an excuse) = It would take him all his time, etc.
Hard-row. See Row.
Hard-run, adj. (colloquial).—In want of money; hard-up (q.v.)
Hard-shell, subs. (American).—A member of an extreme section of Baptists holding very strict and rigid views. [The soft-shells are of more liberal mind.] Also Hards and Softs.
1848. Jones, Sketches of Travel, p. 30. The old hard-shell laid about him like rath.