“Nasty, Brutish and Short” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 15, 2024 by Liam Daniel

If you have ever heard someone use the term ‘nasty, brutish and short’ during a conversation, you may well have asked yourself what the saying means. We are going to look into the meaning of this term and a little bit about where it first came from. We will also look at how the phrase can be used during a conversation.

“Nasty, Brutish and Short” Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • The phrase “nasty, brutish, and short” is used to describe a life that is harsh, violent, and lacking in quality or length. The expression originates from the philosopher Thomas Hobbes in his work Leviathan, where he characterizes life in a state of nature without political order or authority as being filled with conflict and suffering.
Nasty, Brutish and Short
Nasty, Brutish and Short – Created by 7ESL

“Nasty, Brutish and Short” Meaning

The phrase “nasty, brutish, and short” describes a life that is characterized by harshness, violence, and a lack of quality or fulfillment. It often refers to a state of existence that is both difficult and unpleasant, suggesting that life is filled with suffering and brutality, resulting in a brief and unfulfilling experience.

Examples:

  • “Without effective laws and governance, society could descend into a state of chaos that is nasty, brutish, and short.”
  • “Many war-torn regions experience lives that are nasty, brutish, and short, filled with violence and uncertainty.”

Origin of This Idiom

The phrase is attributed to the philosopher Thomas Hobbes, who used it in his work “Leviathan” (published in 1651). Hobbes argued that in the absence of societal structure and governance, human life in a state of nature would be chaotic and violent, leading to a “nasty, brutish, and short” existence. His views were part of a larger discussion on the necessity of a strong central authority to maintain order and protect individuals.

Usage of “Nasty, Brutish and Short”

  • In a discussion about societal issues:

“Many people argue that without a strong government, life can become nasty, brutish, and short, as chaos ensues in the absence of law and order.”

  • Talking about a challenging environment:

“The working conditions in that factory were described as nasty, brutish, and short, leading to high turnover rates among employees.”

  • In a historical context:

“Hobbes believed that life in the state of nature was nasty, brutish, and short, necessitating the establishment of a social contract.”

  • In a metaphorical sense:

“Without adequate healthcare, many individuals face lives that can be nasty, brutish, and short, with little hope for improvement.”

Related Terms to “Nasty, Brutish and Short”

  • Life of hardship – a life characterized by difficult circumstances and struggles.
  • Survival of the fittest – a phrase suggesting that only the strongest or most adapted individuals survive in a harsh environment.
  • Dog-eat-dog world – a term describing a competitive and ruthless environment where individuals act selfishly at the expense of others.
  • Brutal existence – a life marked by extreme hardship and cruelty.
  • Short-lived – indicating something that does not last long, often implying a lack of meaningful experience.
  • Violent society – a community characterized by frequent acts of violence and aggression.
  • State of nature – a philosophical concept referring to the hypothetical condition of humanity before the establishment of society or government, often viewed as chaotic.
  • Harsh realities – the difficult and often unpleasant truths of life that people must face.
  • Grim existence – a life filled with bleakness and despair.
  • Merciless conditions – situations that lack compassion and are unyielding to those who suffer.

Other Ways to Say the Phrase

There are other ways in which you can express the meaning of the term ‘nasty, brutish and short’ using different wording. Here are some examples of other things you might say.

  • Hard life
  • An awful situation

“Nasty, Brutish and Short” Examples

Examples in Statements

This is a statement which is being made by a new reporter.

  • ‘The country is in strife, life truly is nasty, brutish and short.’

Here is a statement which is made by a teacher to her class.

  • ‘The war veterans insisted that they felt things were nasty, brutish and short when they were fighting in the war.’

Conversation Examples

If you are curious to know how the term ‘nasty, brutish and short’ can work in a day to day conversation, here are some examples of what you might hear.

The first is a conversation taking place between two friends.

  • Person 1: “How was your military tour?”
  • Person 2: “Absolutely horrible, you cannot begin to imagine some of the things I have seen.”
  • Person 1: “Life really is nasty, brutish and short isn’t it.”

Here is a conversation between a father and son. The term, in this case, is used to show sarcasm.

  • Person 1: “Dad, can I have a new car?”
  • Person 2: “If you buy it yourself.”
  • Person 1: “But all my friends parents have brought them cars. It isn’t fair.”
  • Person 2: “Your life must be so nasty, brutish and short.”
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