be hard up
1. slang To have little to no money. I get paid next week, so can we go out to dinner then? I'm just hard up right now.
2. slang To be lonely and thus accept questionable friends or lovers. You must be hard up for friends if you're spending time with those losers.
3. slang To need drugs or alcohol. Don't give him any money—I just know he's hard up for drugs.
4. slang To be intoxicated. Do you remember last night at the pub at all? You were hard up!