a devil of a time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a devil of a time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe having a very difficult or troublesome experience, often with a sense of exaggeration or humor. Example: "We had a devil of a time trying to fix the car after it broke down in the middle of nowhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

They expect to have a devil of a time.

The New Yorker

Say: "I'm having a devil of a time finding my heirloom jewelry.

The New York Times

Poor kid is going to have a devil of a time in the playground.

The Guardian - Film

As Brown recalls, "I put this very large cat into this very heavy carrier and had a devil of a time hailing cabs on freezing-cold mornings.

The New Yorker

Not surprisingly, Ms. Gabarain and her minutemen and -women have had a devil of a time getting anyone to take them seriously.

The New York Times

They put signs out with no organizational name on it and no phone number, so you have a devil of a time finding them".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"I had the devil of a time persuading my uncle, Kalman Liebermann, who was a rabbi himself, that I wasn&apos t cut out for the theological calling," he said.

The New York Times

The Council also admits to difficulties in differentiating legitimate from illegitimate trading and acknowledges that agencies will have a devil of time figuring it all out.

Huffington Post

One of the century's greatest philosophers, without whom there would be no Sartre, no Foucault, no Frankfurt School, Martin Heidegger was also a man of great failures and flaws, a Faustus who made a pact with the devil of his time, Adolf Hitler.

Harvard University

The pope has spoken of the devil a number of times as a real entity, not as simply a representation of evil.

Huffington Post

The United States is truly the devil of our times, amusing itself with murder.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a devil of a time" when you want to express that something was very difficult or troublesome, often with a touch of humor or exaggeration. It's suitable for informal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

While "a devil of a time" is acceptable, relying on it too frequently can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "a tough time" or "a challenging period" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a devil of a time" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe a period or instance of significant difficulty or trouble. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and suitable for expressing challenging experiences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a devil of a time" is a grammatically sound and commonly used idiomatic expression signifying a difficult or troublesome experience. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and indicates its prevalence in News & Media contexts. While it adds color to informal communication, alternative phrases like "a tough time" or "a difficult time" may be more suitable for formal settings. Overusing this idiom should be avoided to maintain writing style, and sources like The New York Times frequently employ it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a heck of a time

Similar idiom, slightly less intense or old-fashioned than "a devil of a time".

a hellish time

Similar in intensity to "a devil of a time", perhaps slightly stronger and more negative.

a hard time

More general term for experiencing difficulties; lacks the idiomatic color of "a devil of a time".

a tough time

Similar to "a hard time", but suggests resilience is required to overcome the difficulties.

a difficult time

A more formal and neutral way of expressing that someone is experiencing problems.

a trying time

Implies a period of testing or hardship; somewhat more formal than "a devil of a time".

a rough time

Suggests a period of turbulence or unpleasantness.

a wretched time

Emphasizes the misery and unpleasantness of the experience; stronger emotional tone than "a devil of a time".

a miserable time

Focuses on the unhappiness and discomfort of the experience.

an ordeal

Refers to a particularly severe or prolonged difficult experience.

FAQs

What does "a devil of a time" mean?

It's an idiom that means experiencing significant difficulty or trouble doing something.

What can I say instead of "a devil of a time"?

You can use alternatives like "a hard time", "a tough time", or "a difficult time" depending on the context.

Is "a devil of a time" formal or informal?

It leans toward the informal side, so it's best suited for casual conversation or writing. For more formal situations, consider using "a difficult time" or "a challenging period".

How can I use "a devil of a time" in a sentence?

For example, "I had "a devil of a time" trying to assemble that furniture" or "They're having "a devil of a time" getting their new business off the ground".