What is "school of hard knocks"

n. (context idiomatic chiefly US English) The source of an education consisting of real-world experiences, especially adverse experiences.

School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) is a Sky Sports TV documentary that highlights the work of the School of Hard Knocks Charity. The concept was created by Ken Cowen who founded the charity in the same name in 2012.

Originally broadcast by Sky Sports, the show has recently been aired as well on Sky 1. Series 8 aired in September 2015.

The programme has seen contributions from Tony Blair, David Haye, South African stars Bryan Habana, Victor Matfield, John Smit and Schalk Burger, Phil Larder, Jason Robinson, Shaun Edwards and many more. The current series is fronted by Will Greenwood and Scott Quinnell with Paul Boross assisting as the team psychologist and motivational coach.

The first series was filmed in the Merseyside borough of Knowsley. Will Greenwood and Scott Quinnell presented the second series, filmed in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, and have continued to present the show since.

SOHK uses the game of rugby and other challenging activities to teach participants life lessons and values, initially designed to allow them to take forward steps into the world of employment. Since its inception the programme has grown to also address issues such as health, crime and citizenship. The charity has recently established 'SOHK for Schools' which seeks to help vulnerable children realise their potential and stay engaged in education.

The School of Hard Knocks or University of Hard Knocks is an idiomatic phrase meaning the (sometimes painful) education one gets from life's usually negative experiences, often contrasted with formal education. The term is frequently misattributed to George Ade, but was actually coined by Elbert Hubbard in a piece he wrote on himself for Cosmopolitan in 1902.

It is a phrase which is most-typically used by a person to claim a level of wisdom imparted by life experience, which should be considered at least equal in merit to academic knowledge. It is a response that may be given when one is asked about his or her education, particularly if they do not have an extensive formal education but rather life experiences that should be valued instead. It may also be used facetiously, to suggest that formal education is not of practical value compared with "street" experience. In the UK and New Zealand, the phrases "University of Life" and "School of Hard Knocks" may be used interchangeably.

"School of Hard Knocks" is the 161st episode of the ABC television series, Desperate Housewives. It is the fourth episode of the show's eighth season and was broadcast on October 16, 2011.

School of Hard Knocks is an idiomatic phrase meaning the (sometimes painful) education one gets from life's usually negative experiences.

School of Hard Knocks may also refer to:

• School of Hard Knocks (Desperate Housewives), an episode of Desperate Housewives
• School of Hard Knocks (TV series), a British television series
• School Of Hard Knocks (album), a 1990 album by Pat Travers Band
• School of Hard Knocks (song), a 2000 song by Nu metal band P.O.D