a devil of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a devil of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that someone is having a difficult or challenging time with something. Example: "I had a devil of time trying to fix the car after it broke down on the highway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 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

Senator Hillary Clinton has had a devil of a time trying to cope with the demand for change while shouldering the legacy of an administration that defined the 1990s.

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

And she had a devil of a time conjuring the character who would find Nao's diary washed ashore in a Hello Kitty lunchbox on an island off British Columbia.

The New York Times - Books

But with Medicare paying for that treatment whether or not patients are in research studies, "we are having a devil of a time recruiting patients" for the study, he said.

The New York Times - Health

For several World Cup qualifying cycles, the U.S. men's team had a devil of a time playing on a stone-hard plastic surface in, all of places, Costa Rica.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing personal experiences, use "a devil of a time" to vividly convey the difficulty faced, enhancing the reader's understanding of the challenge.

Common error

While effective in informal contexts, avoid using "a devil of a time" in professional or academic writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "a difficult time" or "a challenging period" to maintain formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a devil of time" functions as an idiomatic expression. According to Ludwig, it conveys the experience of facing a notably difficult or challenging period. Examples found in Ludwig confirm that it is used to emphasize the degree of difficulty encountered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Academia

1%

Wiki

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a devil of time" is a common idiom used to express that someone is having a difficult or challenging experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various news and media outlets. While it is acceptable in many contexts, it might be more appropriate to use alternatives such as "a difficult time" or "a challenging period" in formal writing. Ultimately, understanding its nuances allows for more effective and context-aware communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult time

This alternative replaces "devil" with "difficult", maintaining a similar sense of hardship without the idiomatic intensity.

a hard time

Substituting "devil" with "hard" offers a more straightforward expression of experiencing problems or challenges.

a tough time

Replaces "devil" with "tough" implying a challenging or rigorous experience.

a hell of a time

Emphasizes intensity of difficulty, similar to the original phrase but with a slightly different colloquial term.

a trying time

Using "trying" suggests that the time period tested one's patience or resilience.

a troublesome time

This option emphasizes the problems or difficulties associated with the time period.

a wretched time

This emphasizes the unpleasantness and misery associated with the time period.

a beast of a time

Suggests that something is very difficult or unpleasant.

an ordeal

Conveys a sense of a painful or horrific experience, closer to a very bad time in general.

a period of hardship

This is a more formal way of expressing a time filled with difficulties and struggles.

FAQs

What does "a devil of a time" mean?

The phrase "a devil of a time" means experiencing a period filled with considerable difficulty or trouble. It implies that something was very challenging or problematic.

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

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

Is it appropriate to use "a devil of a time" in formal writing?

No, it's generally not appropriate. In formal writing, it's better to use more neutral phrases like "a challenging period" or "a difficult situation".

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

You can use "a devil of a time" to describe a challenging experience. For example, "I had a devil of a time trying to assemble the furniture".