hard row to hoe n. phr. A hard life to live; a very hard job to do.
She has a hard row to hoe with six children and her husband dead.
Young people without enough education will have a tough row to hoe when they have to support themselves. Synonym: HARD SLEDDING.
Compare: DOWN ON ONE'S LUCK, HARD NUT TO CRACK.
[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲