devil of a time

a devil of a time

A difficult or frustrating time; much difficulty. I'm having a devil of a time getting this window open—I think it has been painted shut. We had a devil of a time convincing Grandpa to go to the doctor for that bad cough.
See also: devil, of, time

the devil of a time

A great deal of difficulty or frustration. I'm having the devil of a time getting this window open—I think it has been painted shut. It was the devil of a time convincing Grandpa to go to the doctor for that bad cough.
See also: devil, of, time
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

devil of a time

 and the devil's own time
a very difficult time. I had a devil of a time with my taxes. This cold has been giving me a devil of a time. Fixing the car seemed easy, but I had the devil's own time doing it.
See also: devil, of, time
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • a devil of a time
  • devil of a
  • devil of a job
  • a/the devil of a job, nuisance, fellow, etc.
  • a devil of a
  • a devil of a job
  • the devil of a time
  • what (in) the devil
  • devil
  • the devil incarnate