hurt for
B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words
To feel really sad for someone, or to badly need something.
Literal meaning: To experience physical pain directed at something — the idiomatic leap is toward emotional pain or lack.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To feel deep sympathy or emotional pain on someone else's behalf.
"When I heard about his loss, I really hurt for him."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
To be in serious need of something; to lack something urgently.
"The small restaurant is really hurting for experienced chefs right now."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Primarily used in American English. The 'be in need of' sense is especially common in American informal speech ('we're hurting for money'). The empathy sense is widespread.
Commonly used with
money staff sympathy help players him her
Forms
Base
hurt for
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hurts for
he/she/it
Past simple
hurted for
yesterday
Past participle
hurted for
have + pp
-ing form
hurting for
continuous
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