hard knocks

[user_gary]

From School of Hard Knocks to an M.B.A.

Source : From School of Hard Knocks to an M.B.A. - MSN Encarta

Please explain it.

[Delmobile]

It means an "education" by real-world experience, which is often adversarial and difficult, as opposed to traditional school.

[user_gary]

Thank you Delmobile.(for all threads)

I know adversary = opponent, but I cannot understand your explanation with this meaning.

Could you tell me what you mean `adversary' in your sentence?

[Delmobile]

Adversarial just means "of, or relating to, an adversary." I meant that in the real world, one often meets people who try to harm one.

Here is another way to say it: Who will examine a contract more carefully: a person who was once cheated out of a large sum of money by a contract, or a person who has taken a class about contracts?

[user_gary]

Thank you very much Delmobile.

I have got it.

[Delmobile]

You're welcome!

[BobK]

A footnote: the expression 'School of Hard Knocks' is probably a reference to the common description of part of a university as 'The School of <adjective> <noun - often in the plural>' - e.g. 'The School of Oriental Languages'. 'The School of Life' wouldn't be as good.

b