learn (something) the hard way
учиться на собственном опыте (часто неприятном)
Tom learned things the hard way when he went to prison for stealing a camera.
Другие идиомы:
- learn (something) from the bottom up
- learn the ropes
- learn to live with (something)
- learn (something) by heart
- learn by heart
- learn by rote
- live and learn
- lead a dog's life
- leopard can't change its spots
- let sleeping dogs lie
- let the cat out of the bag
- like a bat out of hell
- like a deer caught in the headlights
- like lambs to the slaughter
- lion's share of (something)