hard-and-fast

Questions

What does hard-and-fast mean?

strictly maintained; not subject to variation

Where does hard-and-fast come from?

First attested 1867, originally of a ship on shore.

How to pronounce hard-and-fast

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “hard-and-fast”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “hard-and-fast”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “hard-and-fast” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.