Given a hard time about, in that case (4)
I believe the answer is:
then
'in that case' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'given a hard time' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'hard' could be 'h' (abbreviation used in pencil classifications) and 'h' is located in the answer.
'time' could be 'ten' (I've seen this before) and 'ten' is found in the leftover letters.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'about' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for then that I've seen before include "soon?" , "Afterwards - as a result" , "Once upon a time" , "At that time; next" , "Consequently" .)