give a hard time

[give a hard time] {v. phr.}, {informal}

1. To give trouble by what you do or say; complain.

* /Jane gave her mother a hard time on the bus by fighting with her sister and screaming./

* /Don't give me a hard time, George. I'm doing my best on this job./

Compare: GIVE FITS. 2. To get in the way by teasing or playing; kid.

* /Don't give me a hard time, boys. I'm trying to study./

Compare: ACT UP, IN ONE'S HAIR.

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms


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	time [time] See: ABOUT TIME, AGAINST TIME, AT A TIME, AT ONE TIME, AT THE SAME ... A Dictionary of American Idioms give fits [give fits] {v. phr.} {informal} To upset; bother very much. * /Paul's higher grades give ... A Dictionary of American Idioms give out [give out] {v.} 1. To make known; let it be known; publish. * /Mary gave ... A Dictionary of American Idioms not to give one the time of day [not to give one the time of day] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To dislike someone ... A Dictionary of American Idioms have a time [have a time] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To have trouble; have a hard time. * ... A Dictionary of American Idioms hard [hard] See: GIVE A HARD TIME, GO HARD WITH, SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS. A Dictionary of American Idioms in one's hair [in one's hair] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Bothering you again and again; always annoying. * /Johnny ... A Dictionary of American Idioms

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