What is the meaning of the phrase" hard times"?

a period of difficulties .

The phrase "hard times" means a period of difficulties. It is often used to describe a time when someone is struggling financially or emotionally. The phrase can also be used to describe a time when there is a lot of hardship in the world, such as during a war or a natural disaster.

The answer is (3) a period of difficulties.

The other options are incorrect.

• (1) with strictness does not fit the meaning of the phrase. Hard times is a neutral phrase, while strictness is a negative term.
• (2) to do something badly does not fit the meaning of the phrase. Hard times is a descriptive phrase, while badly is an evaluative term.
• (4) being hard on someone is similar to hard times, but it has a more specific meaning. Being hard on someone means to be harsh or demanding, while hard times simply means a time of difficulty.