tough luck

Related to tough luck: luck out, Best Of Luck, down on luck, bygones

tough luck

1. noun Adverse circumstances resulting in misfortune or hardships; bad luck. John's had some tough luck lately—he really can't seem to catch a break.
2. adjective Involving such circumstances. When used as an adjective, the term is often hyphenated. The deadline is non-negotiable, so don't come to me with some tough-luck story about how you couldn't finish your assignment.
3. interjection I have no sympathy for the situation you are in or how you feel about it. A: "When you said I'd be getting a car for my birthday, I didn't think it would be some beat-up old van like this!" B: "Tough luck! You should be thankful to have a car at all!"
See also: luck, tough
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

tough luck

 and tough cookies
That is too bad. (Said as a reply to someone relating an unfortunate situation.) Tough luck, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. That's too bad, tough cookies.
See also: luck, tough
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

tough/bad ˈluck

(informal)
1 (British English) used to show sympathy for something unfortunate that has happened to somebody: ‘I failed by one point.’ ‘That’s tough luck.’
2 (also tough) (also tough ˈshit, tough ˈtitty taboo, slang) (ironic) used to show that you do not feel sorry for somebody who has a problem: ‘If you take the car, I won’t be able to go out.’ ‘Tough luck!’ If you don’t like the idea, tough. You should have said something earlier.
See also: bad, luck, tough
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

tough luck

and tough cookies
interj. That is too bad. Tough luck, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Tough cookies, Tom! That’s life.
See also: luck, tough
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • tough break
  • as chance/luck would have it
  • as luck would have it
  • a streak of bad luck
  • a string of bad luck
  • a run of bad luck
  • the luck of the devil
  • luck of the devil
  • rotten luck
  • have the devil's (own) luck
References in periodicals archive
The benefits staff said it was tough luck and I had to fill form MUM DEBORAH
PROVE YOU ARE NOT FIT FOR WORK; Stuart has Down's syndrome, epilepsy and autism, is unable to speak or feed himself and needs 24-hour care from his devoted mum but it hasn't stopped the DWP telling him.
It was tough luck on Shrewsbury, who had created plenty of chances.
Football: CHELTENHAM.....1 SHREWSBURY....0
HUGH DAVIDSON notched his first goal in an Arbroath jersey to clinch a win that was tough luck on the visitors.
Football: ARBROATH ..1 EAST FIFE ..0
It was tough luck on the hosts who had been on top up until that point, with Baldwin having crashed a shot against the Brentford crossbar.
Football: Colchester 0 Brentford 1
It was hard, tough luck. These are things that happen in war.
OUR D-DAY: MY D-DAY - Paddy Boland
Mrs Rundle said: "He tried to get on the bus and told the driver he had lost his pass, but he was told it was tough luck and to get off.
Boy, 12, put off bus 7 miles from home
One bookie's PR man hit the nail on the head when he said: "If you backed Cam to go, tough luck."
Queen's Award
service treatment, tough luck. In Warwickshire, there just aren't enough NHS dentists to go round.
Dentists: A mess that shames New Labour; comment
It was tough luck on Yorkshire, who had made the visitors follow on 223 behind, then had Saturday washed out.
Aymes saves Hampshire
As if fighting this disease isn't enough our cancer sufferers are told "tough luck" as the drugs that could help them spend more time with their loved ones aren't available here.
Fight for the right to life; VOICE OF THE
"It was tough luck to have picked up another injury.
Gestede in fresh injury blow at City
No problem, if you can''t find a car parking space, tough luck.
It's parking madness. Your shout
It's tough luck on Jamie - but nothing more than that.
OWN GOALS JUST CRUEL LUCK FOR CARRAGHER
It was tough luck on faltering Tranmere, who had frustrated Forest for much of the afternoon.
Football: Taylor's head boy; N FOREST.............1 TRANMERE...........0
It was tough luck on Scarborough, who had started brightly with Scott Kerr, Robert Gill and David Pounder all going close.
Football: Stevenage 1 Scarboro' 0