make hard work of (something)
To make something more complicated, arduous, or difficult than it is or should be. I don't know why you have to make such hard work of cooking each night. I always make hard work of these essays by leaving them until the last minute.
make hard ˈwork of something
make something more difficult or complicated than it should be: I don’t know why he’s making such hard work of his maths homework. It’s really quite easy.