give a hard time

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give somebody a hard time

1. (informal) to criticize someone and make them feel guilty about something that they have done (often + about ) I came home late one night last week and she's been giving me a hard time about it ever since.

2. to treat someone severely or to cause difficulties for them She'd always wanted to be a teacher, but those kids gave her a really hard time.

See also: give, hard, time

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? References in classic literature
There’s sloops on the river, boy, that would give a hard time on’t to the stoutest vessel King George owns. The Pioneers by Cooper, James Fenimore View in context More results

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give a dirty look
Give a dog a bad name
give a dose of own medicine
give a fair crack of the whip
give a free hand
give a good account of oneself
give a hand
give a hard time
give a heads up
give a leg up
give a lick and a promise
give a lift
give a line
give a little
give a miss

give a go
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give a heads up
give a hoot
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give a kick
give a leg up
give a lick and a promise
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give a little
Give a Little Bit
Give a Little Bit (song)
Give a Little Love
Give a Little Love (Judds album)
Give a little nibble
Give a Little Whistle
Give a Little, Take a Little (Miami Vice)
Give a Man a Home
Give a Man a Job
give a man enough rope and he will hang himself
give a man enough rope and he will hang himself
give a man enough rope and he will hang himself
give a man enough rope and he will hang himself
give a man enough rope and he will hang himself
give a man plenty of rope and he will hang himself

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