have a hard time

verb

To experience a difficulty in attaining one's goals or objectives.

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Meanings

verbhave a hard time (third-person singular simple present has a hard time, present participle having a hard time, simple past and past participle had a hard time)

present singular third person has a hard time · participle present having a hard time · participle past had a hard time · past had a hard time

  1. idiomaticinformalTo experience a difficulty in attaining one's goals or objectives.
Cite this entry
APA

have a hard time. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/have%20a%20hard%20time

MLA

“have a hard time.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/have%20a%20hard%20time. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “have a hard time,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/have%20a%20hard%20time.

Source: have a hard time on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.