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a tough row to hoe
01
a situation that causes difficulties for one
What is the origin of the idiom "a tough row to hoe" and when to use it?
The idiom "a tough row to hoe" originated from the agricultural practice of hoeing rows in a field to prepare the soil for planting. This expression is used to suggest that the task at hand requires considerable effort, endurance, and perseverance, just as tilling a row of soil can be physically demanding and labor-intensive.
Example
Taking care of an aging parent with complex medical needs can be a hard row to hoe.
Tax reform was one of the new president's primary campaign promises, but it will likely prove a hard row to hoe, given the deep divisions in congress.
Starting a new business without any financial backing is a tough row to hoe.
Climbing the corporate ladder in a competitive industry can be a hard row to hoe.
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