n. a difficult task to carry out; a heavy set of burdens. : This is not an easy task. This is a tough row to hoe.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Idioms & Phrases
tough row to hoe
Also, hard row to hoe. A difficult course, hard work to accomplish, as in He knew he'd have a tough row to hoe by running against this popular incumbent. [First half of 1800s]
