long row to hoe
Difficult task ahead
A long row to hoe is a difficult, tedious task requiring sustained effort over time.
The image comes from agriculture—hoeing an entire row of crops by hand is exhausting work.
The phrase typically describes challenges that can't be rushed: Getting this bill through Congress will be a long row to hoe.
Sometimes shortened to a hard row to hoe.
- taskWork to be done
- arduousDemanding strenuous effort
- undertakingTask one commits to
- SisypheanEndlessly, pointlessly laborious
- effortApplied energy toward goals
uphill battle · steep climb · tough sledding · challenging · no easy feat · row to hoe · tough row to hoe · perseverance · hard row to hoe · tough nut to crack · hard work · difficult · obstacle course · heavy lifting · elbow grease · toil · labor of love · blood, sweat, and tears
long row to hoequick fix
Hasty temporary solution
piece of cake · walk in the park · cakewalk · easy as pie · breeze
long row to hoehome stretch
Concluding phase of effort
smooth sailing · clear path · light at the end of the tunnel · straight shot · easy street
long row to hoequick fix
Hasty temporary solution
one and done · in the bag · done deal · fast track · shortcut
long, longer, longest, longing, longingly, length, lengthen, lengthy, rowed