Pronunciation: [wɒz hˈɑːd ˈʌp] (IPA) 
The phrase "was hard up" is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /wɒz hɑːd ʌp/. "Was" is pronounced as /wɒz/ with a short "o" sound, while "hard" is pronounced as /hɑːd/ with a long "a" sound. "Up" is pronounced as /ʌp/ with a short "u" sound. This phrase means to be in financial difficulty and struggling to make ends meet. It can also be used to refer to someone who is lacking something essential.
"Was hard up" is a colloquial expression used to describe a state of financial hardship or difficulty. It refers to a situation where an individual or a group of individuals lacks sufficient money or resources to meet their basic needs or fulfill their financial obligations.
When someone says they were hard up, it implies that they experienced a period of financial scarcity or were struggling to make ends meet. This condition often results in a lack of funds for necessities such as food, housing, or healthcare, and may also restrict an individual's ability to pursue entertainment or leisure activities.
The phrase can also suggest temporary or circumstantial financial constraints rather than a permanent state of poverty. It conveys a sense of urgency or tightness in monetary matters, highlighting the challenges and limitations placed on an individual's lifestyle or spending habits due to limited funds.
Overall, "was hard up" conveys a sense of financial difficulty or constraint. It denotes a situation in which an individual or a group faced financial adversity, struggling to allocate resources for their essential needs and making it challenging to maintain a comfortable standard of living.
