difficult

bad times

Times of trouble, struggle, or unhappiness. I've had bad times since losing my job, but I'm trying to stay positive.

See also: bad, times

difficult is done at once; the impossible takes a little longer

Situations that are very challenging or seem hopeless take longer to complete than ones that are merely difficult. Kate is undeterred by any problem I bring her. She truly embraces the idea that difficult is done at once; the impossible takes a little longer.

See also: difficult, done, impossible, little, longer, take

make life difficult (for one)

To cause a lot of problems, pressure, or stress (for one), perhaps by engaging in malicious or mean-spirited treatment (of one). Tom has been making life difficult ever since he found out I'd snitched on him to the boss about taking office supplies. There's a group of bullies who love making life difficult for us. This new schedule has been making life difficult for a lot of employees.

See also: difficult, life, make

tread a/the (type of) path

To choose a particular kind of lifestyle that one commits to. My brother's always treaded a solitary path, no matter how much we reach out to him. You'll be treading a tough path if you decide to drop out of college now.

See also: path, tread

bad times

 and difficult times; trying times; hard times; tough times

a period that offers difficulties, such as when there is not enough food, money, or work. We went through trying times when Perry was out of work, but we all bounced back.

See also: bad, times

difficult is done at once; the impossible takes a little longer

Prov. Tasks that are only difficult are done immediately, harder tasks take longer. (Describes a very competent group or person.) The secretary in our office is extremely capable. She has a little sign on her desk that says, "The difficult is done at once; the impossible takes a little longer." In her case, it's not a joke.

See also: difficult, done, impossible, little, longer, take

make life ˈdifficult (for somebody)

cause problems for somebody: She does everything she can to make life difficult for him.

See also: difficult, life, make

tread a difficult, solitary, etc. ˈpath

choose and follow a particular way of life, way of doing something, etc: A restaurant has to tread the tricky path between maintaining quality and keeping prices down.

See also: path, tread