Give a bad time

Meaning

Make someone's situation unpleasant or difficult.

Usage

Warns that a person or process will be disagreeable or punitive.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

American blue-collar speech from the mid-20th century, often used by workers and police.

Printed in US newspapers in the 1950s to describe rough treatment from officials.