give someone a hard time

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give someone a hard time (third-person singular simple present gives someone a hard time, present participle giving someone a hard time, simple past gave someone a hard time, past participle given someone a hard time)

1. (idiomatic, informal) To cause difficulty or make trouble for someone.

   During WWII, German troops gave the Allies a hard time in Italy, but eventually the Allies broke through.

2. (idiomatic, informal) To tease, kid or rib someone.

   He's usually pretty good-natured when the children give him a hard time about his bald spot.