hard knocks (noun)

1. The protagonist in the horror movie experienced hard knocks when she was haunted by malevolent spirits.

2. The dilapidated building with its crumbling walls and broken windows showcased the hard knocks it had experienced over the years.

3. In the comic book series, the superhero goes through numerous hard knocks that test his strength and determination.

4. During the Great Depression, many families faced hard knocks with unemployment, poverty, and homelessness becoming widespread.