From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishhard-earnedˌhard-ˈearned adjective [only before noun] earned or achieved after a lot of efforthard-earned money/cash etc Don’t be too quick to part with your hard-earned cash. a hard-earned victory
Examples from the Corpus
hard-earned• The award by the New York drama critics had, by Robards' own acknowledgement, been hard-earned.• The millions who would soon be looking for somewhere to spend their hard-earned break were his natural customers.• Start telling your children what else that hard-earned money can buy.• After dark there is more atmosphere as the men come to spend their hard-earned money.• I believe Washington takes too much of your hard-earned money.• The business of selling shares at licensed dealers is often a gimmick which loses investors their hard-earned money.• Hence budget formulas are necessary to protect managers from raids on their hard-earned profits.• Those who haven't taken advantage of early season low prices still have to take their hard-earned rest.hard-earned money/cash etc• After dark there is more atmosphere as the men come to spend their hard-earned money.• I believe Washington takes too much of your hard-earned money.• The business of selling shares at licensed dealers is often a gimmick which loses investors their hard-earned money.• Start telling your children what else that hard-earned money can buy.• I learned the lesson the hard way-by spending my hard-earned money for it.• The last thing you want to worry about when you invest your hard-earned cash is whether your adviser is trustworthy.• They are pictured as virtually irredeemable, lazy, dependent, living off the hard-earned money of others.• During the next three months Alexander spent all his hard-earned money visiting the theatre, art galleries or going to concerts. 