have a time—(coll.)
1. encounter some difficulty; have a hard time:
- He hoped that Lavinia wasn’t having a time with the twins, cooped inside on a damp afternoon.
2. enjoy oneself; have fun:
- “Do you like the seashore?” “Yes, I’m having quite a time.”
have the time—
1. (also: have time) have sufficient time to do smth.:
- I don’t see how you fellows have the time to monkey around here.
2. (coll., in the phrase “do you have the time?”) know the correct time of day:
- People who don’t wear watches will often ask those who do, “Pardon me, do you have the time?”