PhrasesHub

A tough row to hoe

    Definitions

      • difficult task or challenge
        Describing a situation or task that is particularly challenging or strenuous, often requiring a lot of effort and perseverance to accomplish successfully.

      • unpleasant or tedious work
        Referring to a job or task that is dull, repetitive, or unenjoyable, often requiring a lot of effort and patience to complete.

    Examples of A tough row to hoe

    • The new marketing campaign is going to be a tough row to hoe.

      This idiom is used to describe a difficult or challenging task. The phrase "a tough row to hoe" originated from the idea of hoeing a straight row of crops, which can be physically demanding and time-consuming. In this example, the new marketing campaign is being compared to hoeing a tough row of crops, implying that it will require a lot of effort and hard work to be successful.

    • The CEO faced a tough row to hoe during the company's financial crisis.

      In this example, the CEO's job of managing the company during a financial crisis is being compared to hoeing a tough row of crops. This idiom is used to convey the idea that the CEO's task was extremely difficult and challenging during this time.

    • The sales team has a tough row to hoe this quarter.

      This idiom is used to describe a difficult or challenging task for a specific time period. In this example, the sales team's sales goals for the current quarter are being compared to hoeing a tough row of crops, implying that it will require a lot of effort and hard work to meet these goals.

    • The project manager had a tough row to hoe when the project timeline was pushed back.

      This idiom is used to describe a difficult or challenging task that arises unexpectedly. In this example, the project manager's job of managing the project when the timeline was pushed back is being compared to hoeing a tough row of crops, implying that it was unexpectedly difficult and challenging.

    • The team faced a tough row to hoe during the product launch.

      This idiom is used to describe a difficult or challenging task that occurs during a specific event or process. In this example, the team's job of launching the product is being compared to hoeing a tough row of crops, implying that it was unexpectedly difficult and challenging during the product launch.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "a tough row to hoe" is often used to describe a challenging or difficult task or situation. It can refer to both physically demanding tasks as well as mentally taxing ones. It conveys the idea that the task at hand will require a lot of effort, patience, and perseverance to overcome.

    This idiom is commonly used in situations where someone is facing a difficult challenge or obstacle, and serves as a way to empathize with their struggle and offer support. It can also be used as a way to warn someone about the difficulty of a particular task or situation, advising them to be prepared for the challenges ahead.

    Origin of "A tough row to hoe"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to farming and agriculture. In the past, "rowing a hoe" was a common way to prepare the soil for planting crops. It involved using a hoe to break up the earth and create rows for planting seeds. This was a physically demanding and time-consuming task, especially in tough or rocky soil.

    Over time, the phrase "a tough row to hoe" evolved from its literal meaning to its current figurative usage. It became a way to describe any difficult or challenging task, based on the understanding that farming was a common occupation and this task was universally recognized as arduous.

    Today, the idiom is still used in both literal and figurative contexts, but its origins in farming and agriculture are often forgotten. It serves as a reminder of the hard work and determination required in farming, and as a way to convey the difficulty and effort involved in facing challenges in life.