distress vs hard knocks

distress and hard knocks both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
distress	Yes	No	Yes	No
hard knocks	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, hard knocks is a hypernym of distress; that is, hard knocks is a word with a broader meaning than distress:

Other hypernyms of distress include adversity, hardship.

distress (noun)	hard knocks (noun)
the seizure and holding of property as security for payment of a debt or satisfaction of a claim	a state of misfortune or affliction
psychological suffering
extreme physical pain
a state of adversity (danger or affliction or need)

distress (verb)	hard knocks (verb)
cause mental pain to
bring into difficulties or distress, especially financial hardship