0
Lcchang Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

have quite a time

If someone says "I had quite a time today.", does that mean something good or bad happened to him today?

Please advise.

LCChang
  

Top answer

I don't think anyone has ever said that to me, and if they did, I would have to ask them what it meant. I have heard I had quite a good time today. But that is self-explanatory.

— CalifJim

  • I don't think anyone has ever said that to me, and if they did, I would have to ask them what it meant.
  • I have heard I had quite a good time today.
  • But that is self-explanatory.
  • It seems that usually there is more said than just what you've mentioned, for example, I had a really hard time fixing the faucet today.
  • suggests difficulty accomplishing a goal.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

7 Answers
0
I don't think anyone has ever said that to me, and if they did, I would have to ask them what it meant.

I have heard

I had quite a good time today.

But that is self-explanatory.

It seems that usually there is more said than just what you've mentioned, for example,

I had a really hard time fixing the faucet today.

sugges
0
0
It means to me your day (at work or elsewhere) has been hectic and full of problems to solve.
0
0
Normally, it refers to a difficult or hectic situation.
0
0
What about "I had quite a time getting home from work yesterday. My car had two flat tires........"?

LCChang
0
0
I think you must be specific and indicate whether it was hard or good time:

http://www.answers.com/topic/have-a-good-time
http:
0
0
... quite a time getting home from work ...

Yes. If the -ing clause follows, it can do the work of explaining what kind of time you had.

The idiom is usually used to mean you had difficulties. Nevertheless, it may be possible to cast it in a positive way:

I had quite a time dancing and partying last night!

But I don't hear people us
0

Related Questions