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]
Words nearby tough row to hoe
tough break,
tough it out,
tough love,
tough nut,
tough pitch,
tough row to hoe,
tough sledding,
tough-minded,
toughen,
toughie,
toughish