The phrase "wast hard up" is not commonly used in modern English, but it can be found in older literature. The spelling of the word "wast" is an archaic form of the past tense of "be," which was commonly used in Middle English. The phonetic transcription of "wast" is /wɑst/. "Hard up" means being in a difficult financial situation. The letters "h," "a," "r," "d," "u," and "p" are all pronounced as expected in modern English, following the IPA transcription of /hɑrd ʌp/.
"Wast hard up" is a colloquial expression or phrase that combines two distinct terms, "wast" and "hard up," to convey a particular meaning. Individually, "wast" is the past tense of "be," which means to exist or have reality. On the other hand, "hard up" is an idiomatic phrase that originated in the early 19th century and has since become a well-established term.
When combined, "wast hard up" generally refers to a state or condition in which an individual is experiencing financial deprivation or monetary difficulties. It emphasizes the sense of being in a position of impoverishment or lacking sufficient funds to meet basic needs or sustain one's desired lifestyle. This phrase is often used in informal or casual conversations to convey an understanding of someone's financial hardship or to describe one's own financial predicament.
The addition of "wast" to the more commonly used term "hard up" lends a sense of past occurrence, as if the individual had been hard up in the past but may not necessarily be in the same condition currently. It can also be used to express sympathy or empathy towards someone who is facing financial struggles. Overall, "wast hard up" is a colorful expression that describes the condition of being in dire financial straits or experiencing financial hardship.