give (one) a bad time

give (one) a bad time

To tease, mock, or criticize one, usually over some action, task, or achievement. The coach really gave me a bad time when I missed that catch last night. I feel a little mean because I gave him such a bad time about his date last night.

See also: bad, give, time

give somebody a rough, hard, bad, etc. ˈtime (of it)

(informal) make somebody’s life very difficult because you do not like them: Ever since I started work here, she’s been shouting at me and giving me a hard time.

See also: give, somebody, time