devil of a time
a devil of a time
A difficult or frustrating time; much difficulty. I'm having a devil of a time getting this window open—I think it has been painted shut. We had a devil of a time convincing Grandpa to go to the doctor for that bad cough.
the devil of a time
A great deal of difficulty or frustration. I'm having the devil of a time getting this window open—I think it has been painted shut. It was the devil of a time convincing Grandpa to go to the doctor for that bad cough.
devil of a time
and the devil's own timea very difficult time. I had a devil of a time with my taxes. This cold has been giving me a devil of a time. Fixing the car seemed easy, but I had the devil's own time doing it.