hardscrabble /ˈhɑɹdˌskɹæbəl/ adjective2 •(US, Canada) Requiring much work to farm, and ultimately not very productive.In the case of Allegheny Briskow, poverty, the drought, the grinding hardships of these hard-scrabble Texas counties, had dwarfed the intellect, the very soul of a splendid young animal. — 1922 •(US, Canada) Involving hard work and struggle.He leads a hardscrabble existence.
