have a hard time
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishhave a hard timehave a hard timeto have a lot of problems or bad experiences I’m glad she’s happy at last – she’s had such a hard time. Vegetarians still often have a hard time of it when it comes to eating out. → hardExamples from the Corpushave a hard time of it• Even the birds have a hard time of it, and you and Mr.