be in trouble with someone—suffer unhappiness or have problems because of smb.:
- He has been in trouble with the police arising out of his activities with the British Israelites.
have trouble with someone—
1. have problems with smb. because of this person’s behavior:
- The Post Office is having much trouble with people who underpay their letters.
2. = be in trouble with someone:
- This wasn’t the first time that my family have had trouble with the police.