애를 먹어요 · 애를 먹었어요 · V-느라 애를 먹다
to have a hard time, to struggle with
Example
길을 몰라서 호텔을 찾느라 애를 먹었어요.
I didn't know the way, so I had a hard time finding the hotel.
Word parts
애 = anxious trouble; literally 'to swallow trouble.'
Good to know
Don't confuse it with 애를 쓰다: 쓰다 is trying hard, 먹다 is going through trouble.