play hell with

play (merry) hell with (someone or something)

To cause issues or disruptions for someone or something. This wonky Internet signal is playing merry hell with my site edits right now.
See also: hell, play
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

play hell with someone or something

Fig. to cause enormous disruptions with someone or something. (Use discretion with hell.) Your proposal would play hell with Gerry and his plans. This new event really plays hell with my schedule.
See also: hell, play
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

play hell

or

play merry hell

mainly BRITISH
If someone plays hell or plays merry hell, they cause trouble by behaving badly or complaining a lot. I went to the school and played hell with them. She played merry hell and stormed out in a rage. Note: Verbs such as kick up, raise or create can be used instead of play. I will be raising merry hell at the meeting tomorrrow.
See also: hell, play
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

play (merry) hell with

throw into turmoil; disrupt. informal
See also: hell, play
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

play (merry) ˈhell with somebody/something

(British English, informal) disturb, upset or trouble somebody/something very much: These storms play merry hell with our TV reception.
See also: hell, play, somebody, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • play (merry) hell with (someone or something)
  • play hell
  • play hell with somebody/something
  • play hell with someone/something
  • play hell with something
  • raise hell
  • a/one hell of a...
  • hell and high water
  • be hell on
  • be hell on (one)
References in periodicals archive
Or was she worried her dazzling new teeth might play hell with the stained glass and put the vicar off his eulogy?
Left in queries Street
His friend and class fellow Syed Hussain Naqvi told in our last meeting Capt Asfandyar said, soon he be directly fighting the terrorists and play hell with them and he proved it fighting in Badhber.
Valiant Asfandyar laid to rest in Attock
Lord Kinnock wrote in yesterday's Observer: "In the leadership election, we are not choosing the chair of a discussion group who can preside over two years or more of fascinating debate while the Tories play hell with cuts in local services and public investment, extend injustice and flatlining incomes, sustain or worsen private debt, and deepen the balance of payments, productivity, housing and poverty deficits.
'Forget fascinating debate - we need a future leader'
And he would play hell with the referees on the television if they let players off for swearing or the like."
MY BRAVE MAN IN BLACK; Ref Alan would have loved this memorial match, says widow
THE GREAT NORTH RUN A half marathon I've discovered is more than 10 miles That's going to wobble me innards and play hell with me piles Apparently there are stops for water but not any pies Regardless of my entreaties and my starvation cries It is also sung that the road is lone and unending It is not what I thought and not what I was intending So here I am in my new trainers and vest Facing this Sunday when I should be at rest People all around stretching and looking quite fit Here I am with me fat kite feeling a bloody old twit.
Readers' Poems
'They're going to win and then they're going to play hell with Ireland!' Gareth Isaac, 69, of Troed y Bryn, Caerphilly 'Great wins have made us want to support them even more.
MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU
THE weather is due to play hell with the Wimbledon schedule today, but at least Tim Henman is safely through to the second round.
Tennis: Wimbledon 2004: Roddick backed as Henman gets off to slow start
Travel, jet lag, sore muscles, over-tiredness and uncomfortable sleeping conditions play hell with the ability to sleep for some people.
The essentials. (Handgun Hunting)
"If I see a van or lorry belonging to a company whom we've assisted, either with grant aid or by leasing or renting property to them, which doesn't give Irish the prominence it should, I'll take a photograph of it and play hell with them afterwards.
Stopping the language rot
When that happens to my regular ISP I call in and play hell with them until it's fixed.
Floating users no good to providers; INTERACTIVE
Heels, however, shorten the calf muscles and play hell with the balls of your feet.
THE FIRST WORD Ceri Gould; FRONTLINES