learn the hard way

learn (something) the hard way

and find (something) out the hard way

to learn something by experience, especially by an unpleasant experience. (As opposed to learning in school, from reading, etc.) She learned how to make investments the hard way. I wish I didn't have to learn things the hard way. I found out the hard way that it's difficult to work and go to school at the same time.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Hermolaos	-	Ancient Greek
Chaleb	-	Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
Darin	DER-in, DAR-in	English
Amethyst	AM-ə-thist	English (Rare)
Hilja	HEEL-yah	Finnish
Janne (1)	YAHN-ne	Finnish, Swedish