hard row to hoe
Grueling long struggle
A hard row to hoe is a difficult task or challenging situation requiring sustained effort.
The image comes from agriculture—hoeing a row of rocky or weed-choked soil is exhausting work.
Raising three kids alone was a hard row to hoe.
Sometimes appears as tough row to hoe.
- arduousDemanding strenuous effort
- challengingHard to accomplish
- strenuousRequiring intense exertion
- tall orderDifficult request to fulfill
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
tough · task · undertaking · cross to bear · dig · job · uphill battle · steep climb · breaking ground · struggle · rough patch · rocky road · tribulations · adversity · effort · blood sweat and tears · hoe · trials
- hardshipshardship, adversity, struggle, misfortune, difficulties
difficulty of task or situation
hard row to hoecakewalk
Effortless task or promenade
piece of cake · walk in the park · breeze · cinch · child's play
hard, harder, hardest, harden, hardened, hardening, hardness, hardly, hardy