schwer zu tun haben
Translation
to have a hard time with, to struggle with
Examples
Er hat schwer zu tun, die Kiste zu heben.
He is having a hard time lifting the box.
Sie hat mit der neuen Software schwer zu tun.
She is struggling with the new software.
Grammar Patterns
to have a hard time ((with sth.)) She is having a hard time with the task.
Similar Words
sich abmühen (to toil), kämpfen mit (to struggle with)
Etymology
Literally 'heavy to do', from 'schwer' (heavy, difficult) + 'zu' (to) + 'tun' (to do).
Memory Tips
Picture having a task that is physically 'heavy' (schwer) 'to do' (zu tun). This image directly relates to the meaning of struggling.