give someone a hard time idiom informal
C2 使（某人）日子不好过
to make things difficult or unpleasant for someone
Her kids always give her a hard time when she takes them shopping. 她带孩子们去购物时，他们总是给她惹麻烦。
My mother gave me a really hard time (= was angry with me) about staying out late. 我母亲对我在外面呆到很晚感到很生气。