Hard on something Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight Expresses that a situation may cause emotional burden or distress. Losing the match was hard on the team. Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Pressure Used to describe stress that isn't physical but affects someone's wellbeing. Being a caregiver is often hard on a person. Pro Tip 3/3Personal Challenges Talks about personal difficulties one might not see externally. Climbing the corporate ladder can be hard on one's conscience.