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Definitions

tough row to hoe

NOUN
dog's life
Synonyms
WEAK
hard case hard life hard plight miserable life vale of tears

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And being as conservative as the triple option presents itself, it’s just a tough row to hoe in today’s game.

From Washington Post • Dec. 19, 2022

“Politically, it sends a message to challengers that you have a tough row to hoe to remain competitive,” he added.

From New York Times • Jan. 18, 2022

But in this seriocomedy by A. Rey Pamatmat, two motherless siblings largely abandoned by their father have a tough row to hoe, while secretly maintaining their own household in the rural Midwest.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 28, 2013

We have a tough row to hoe but our guys are excited about it.

From Reuters • Feb. 26, 2013

Life’s gunn be a tough row to hoe for you if you don’t learn you caint be believing everything folks tell you, not even growned folks.”

From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis