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Give somebody a hard time
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Meaning/Usage
: Make someone feel bad for making a mistake.
Explanation
: This can be done by complaining to the person a lot, ignoring the person, giving them a punishment, or anything that will make the person go through a hard or difficult time.
"
Suzie
gave him a hard time
for not showing up to her recital.
"
"
Stop
giving me a hard time
. There was nothing I could do about it.
"
"
If you don't finish your project, the manager is going to
give you a hard time
.
"
A:
"
My mom
gave me a hard time
for one bad grade on my report card.
"
B:
"
That's a tough situation. My parents never
gave me a hard time
for bad grades.
"
Other Common Sentences
"
Albert is making it difficult for me.
"
"
He's getting on my case about my comment.
"