PhrasesHub

Have your work cut out

    Definitions

      • to have a difficult or challenging task ahead
        to describe a situation where someone has a lot of work or a difficult task to complete

      • to be faced with a demanding or arduous situation
        to indicate that someone is in a situation that requires a lot of effort and hard work to overcome

    Examples of Have your work cut out

    • Sarah has her work cut out if she wants to organize a charity event with less than two weeks' notice.

      This idiom is used to describe a difficult or challenging task ahead. In this example, Sarah is faced with the daunting task of organizing a charity event with very little time to prepare. It will require a lot of effort and hard work on her part to make the event a success, and she will have her work cut out for her.

    • The new team leader has his work cut out dealing with a group of employees who have been resistant to change.

      This idiom can also be used to describe a difficult or resistant group of people. In this example, the new team leader is faced with the task of dealing with a group of employees who are resistant to change. It will require a lot of effort and persistence on his part to overcome the resistance and implement the necessary changes.

    • With so many talented candidates, the hiring manager has his work cut out selecting the best fit for the job.

      This idiom is also used to describe a difficult decision or choice. In this example, the hiring manager is faced with the task of selecting the best candidate for the job from a pool of talented candidates. It will require a lot of consideration and analysis on his part to make the right decision.

    • The athlete has his work cut out if he wants to break the world record in the 100 meters.

      This idiom can also be used to describe a challenging goal. In this example, the athlete is facing the difficult task of breaking the world record in the 100 meters. It will require a lot of hard work and dedication on his part to achieve this goal.

    • The new marketing manager has his work cut out trying to turn around the company's declining sales.

      This idiom means that the marketing manager has a difficult or challenging task ahead of him, as the company's sales have been declining and he will have to work hard to improve them.

    • As soon as the CEO announced a major restructuring, the HR manager knew she had her work cut out dealing with employee concerns and resistance.

      The idiom can also be used to describe a situation where a person will have to handle multiple issues or challenges at the same time. In this example, the HR manager will have to deal with employees' concerns and resistance as the company undergoes a major restructuring.

    • The entrepreneur's startup has its work cut out competing in a crowded and highly competitive market.

      This idiom can be used to describe a situation where a person or organization will have to work hard to succeed in a competitive industry or market.

    • The small business owner has her work cut out trying to balance the competing demands of her customers, employees, and suppliers.

      This idiom highlights the challenges of managing multiple and sometimes conflicting demands, as the business owner will have to find a way to please all stakeholders while running her business.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "have your work cut out" is used to convey the idea that someone is faced with a challenging or demanding task that will require a lot of effort and hard work to complete. It is often used to warn others or to describe their current situation.

    This idiom is commonly used in both personal and professional contexts to highlight the difficulty of a task or situation and to emphasize the amount of effort and dedication required to overcome it. It can also be used to acknowledge and commend someone for taking on a particularly challenging task.

    Overall, "have your work cut out" serves as a way to communicate the demanding nature of a task or situation and the determination required to tackle it effectively.

    Origin of "Have your work cut out"

    The origin of the idiom "have your work cut out" is believed to come from the world of tailoring or dressmaking. In this context, "cutting out" refers to the initial stage of preparing fabric for a garment by cutting the pieces according to a pattern. This process requires skill and precision, and it is often considered to be the most challenging part of the garment-making process.

    Over time, the expression "have your work cut out for you" or "have your work cut out" evolved to be used more broadly to describe any challenging task or situation that requires a significant amount of effort and dedication. The idiom has become a common way to convey the difficulty of a task and the dedication required to accomplish it.