PhrasesHub

A tall order

    Definitions

      • Difficult or challenging task
        To describe a task or request that is deemed to be difficult or challenging to accomplish, often due to its complexity or the amount of effort required.

      • Unreasonable request
        To express that a request or demand is excessive or unreasonable, and may be difficult or impossible to fulfill.

      • Improbable expectation
        To convey that something is highly unlikely or improbable, and therefore difficult to achieve or accomplish.

    Examples of A tall order

    • The project manager asked us to complete the project in two weeks, which is a tall order considering the complexity of the task.

      "A tall order" is an idiom that means a difficult or challenging task. In this example, the project manager is asking the team to complete a complex task in a short amount of time, which is a difficult request.

    • The coach asked the team to win the championship this year, which is a tall order for a team that has been struggling in recent seasons.

      "A tall order" is an idiom that means a difficult or challenging task. In this example, the coach is asking the team to win the championship, which is a difficult request for a team that has been struggling in recent seasons.

    • The CEO asked the marketing team to increase sales by 50% in the next quarter, which is a tall order given the current market conditions.

      "A tall order" is an idiom that means a difficult or challenging task. In this example, the CEO is asking the marketing team to increase sales by 50% in the next quarter, which is a difficult request given the current market conditions.

    • The professor asked the students to read three books and write a 10-page paper in one week, which is a tall order for any student.

      "A tall order" is an idiom that means a difficult or challenging task. In this example, the professor is asking the students to read three books and write a 10-page paper in one week, which is a difficult request for any student.

    • The athlete was asked to break the world record in the 100-meter sprint, which is a tall order considering the current world record holder is the fastest person in the world.

      "A tall order" is an idiom that means a difficult or challenging task. In this example, the athlete was asked to break the world record in the 100-meter sprint, which is a difficult request considering the current world record holder is the fastest person in the world.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "a tall order" is used to describe a task, request, or expectation that is considered difficult, unreasonable, or improbable. It suggests that the task at hand is a significant challenge, and may require a considerable amount of effort, skill, or resources to complete successfully.

    This idiom is often used in a figurative sense, and is not meant to be taken literally. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, especially in a business or professional context. For example, someone may say "Meeting the project deadline is going to be a tall order, but I believe we can do it" or "Asking him to change his mind at this point is a tall order, but it's worth a try."

    Origin of "A tall order"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the early 19th century, where it was first used in the United Kingdom. The word "tall" in this context is thought to have originated from the phrase "tall talk," which referred to exaggerated or boastful speech.

    The use of "tall" in this phrase may also have been influenced by the idea that tall objects, such as buildings or trees, can be difficult or challenging to reach. This association may have been used to describe tasks or requests that are similarly challenging or difficult to accomplish.

    Over time, the phrase "a tall order" became a popular idiom and is now commonly used in both British and American English. It has also been adopted in other languages, such as French and Spanish, with similar meanings.