have a hard time
idiom
: to experience difficulty doing something
She's having a hard time living within her budget.
The school has had a hard time recruiting substitute teachers.
He's been having a hard time with his research paper.
Examples of have a hard time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s a lot less than the ubiquitous target of 10,000 steps a day — a goal many people have a hard time reaching.
—
Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 25 July 2025
Even plants that thrive in heat and humidity may have a hard time in a hot car due to sunscorch.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 July 2025
Some people may become less empathetic, while others may have a hard time regulating their emotions.
—Janelle McSwiggin, Health, 20 July 2025
If the mulch is compacted and thicker than an inch or two, the water the plants need will have a hard time getting through it.
—Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for have a hard time
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Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 25 July 2025
Even plants that thrive in heat and humidity may have a hard time in a hot car due to sunscorch.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 July 2025
Some people may become less empathetic, while others may have a hard time regulating their emotions.
—Janelle McSwiggin, Health, 20 July 2025
If the mulch is compacted and thicker than an inch or two, the water the plants need will have a hard time getting through it.
—Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for have a hard time
Cite this Entry
“Have a hard time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/have%20a%20hard%20time. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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