be hell

1. To be extremely unpleasant or difficult. They may pay really well, but I've heard that company is hell to work for. High school was hell for me. I got bullied almost every day, and I didn't have any friends. The early stages of motherhood were hell for me because I was dealing with severe postpartum depression and anxiety.

2. To cause a lot of trouble, aggravation, or hardship. He's nice enough when everything is going well, but he's hell if you screw up even a little. This audit has been hell. Thank goodness it's almost over! Good luck getting into that school, I hear the scholarship exam is hell.