give sb a hard time INFORMAL
to make things difficult or unpleasant for someone:
Her kids always give her a hard time when she takes them shopping.
My mother gave me a really hard time (= was angry with me) about staying out late.

[TahlilGaran] Advanced Learner's Dictionary ▲

give a hard time
give (someone) a hard time
1.
to criticize someone and make them feel guilty about something that they have done.
I came home late one night last week and she's been giving me a hard time about it ever since.
(often + about)
2.
to treat someone severely or to cause difficulties for them.
She'd always wanted to be a teacher, but those kids gave her a really hard time.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

give a hard time
to tease someone, to make trouble for someone
The girl gave her boyfriend a hard time about his new haircut.

The new supervisor is giving me a hard time.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

give a hard time
v. phr., informal
1. To give trouble by what you do or say; complain.
Jane gave her mother a hard time on the bus by fighting with her sister and screaming.
Don't give me a hard time, George. I'm doing my best on this job.
Compare: GIVE FITS.
2. To get in the way by teasing or playing; kid.
Don't give me a hard time, boys. I'm trying to study.
Compare: ACT UP, IN ONE'S HAIR.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

give someone a hard time
give (someone) a hard time
1.
to criticize someone and make them feel guilty about something that they have done.
I came home late one night last week and she's been giving me a hard time about it ever since.
(often + about)
2.
to treat someone severely or to cause difficulties for them.
She'd always wanted to be a teacher, but those kids gave her a really hard time.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

give someone a hard time
to tease someone, to make trouble for someone
The girl gave her boyfriend a hard time about his new haircut.

The new supervisor is giving me a hard time.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲