Hardly Meaning
Hardly Definition & Usage
Used to express that something is almost not happening or is very unlikely.
Examples
- "She could hardly believe the news when she heard it."
- "I can hardly wait for the weekend to arrive."
- "He hardly spoke a word during the meeting."
- "It’s hardly surprising that they won the competition."
- "We hardly have enough time to finish the project."
Referring to something that is close to being impossible, inadequate, or insufficient.
Examples
- "The food was hardly enough to feed everyone."
- "She was hardly in any condition to go out after the surgery."
- "There’s hardly any room for another chair in here."
- "They hardly had any money left after the trip."
- "He could hardly keep his eyes open after the long day."
Cultural Context
'Hardly' comes from Middle English 'hardli,' derived from Old English 'heard' (meaning 'hard'). It has evolved to be used in contexts where something is barely or scarcely happening or existing. The word is frequently used in informal speech to express frustration, surprise, or the improbability of a situation.
Hardly a Moment's Rest
Story
Hardly a Moment's Rest
Olivia had been working non-stop for weeks, juggling three projects at once. Every day felt like a struggle, and she could hardly find a moment to relax. Her office was cluttered with papers, the deadline for the big presentation just around the corner. As she glanced at the clock, she realized she hardly had enough time to finish everything she needed to do. Her colleague, Max, popped his head into her office. 'How are you holding up?' he asked, noticing her exhaustion. Olivia leaned back in her chair, rubbing her eyes. 'Honestly, Max, I can hardly keep my eyes open right now. It's been non-stop.' Max chuckled. 'I can see that. You know, I hardly ever see you take a break.' She gave him a tired smile. 'I don't have time for breaks. The presentation is tomorrow, and I still have so much to do.' Just then, her phone buzzed. It was an email from her boss. 'Olivia, I need you to make a few last-minute adjustments to the report. Can you manage it?' the email read. Olivia sighed. 'Hardly any time left for this, but I guess I'll have to.' She quickly opened the report and began editing. The work seemed endless, and she could hardly focus after such a long day. By the time the clock struck midnight, Olivia had finished the report. It was a job well done, but she was beyond exhausted. She collapsed onto her couch, hoping for just a few hours of sleep before the presentation. 'I can hardly wait for this week to be over,' she thought, closing her eyes. 'Then, maybe I can finally get some rest.' Despite the challenges, Olivia had made it through, but she realized just how close she'd come to breaking under the pressure. 'Hardly any time to spare,' she reflected, 'but I did it.'
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