🌾 A Tough/Hard/Long Row to Hoe
A tough/hard/long row to hoe—A difficult course to follow; hard work to be accomplished. This metaphor hails from nineteenth-century America when most folks lived in rural areas and engaged in cultivation. Even Davy Crockett, in his Tour to the North and Down East (1835), tapped into the toughness: “I never opposed Andrew Jackson for the sake of popularity. I knew it was a hard row to hoe; but I stood up to the rack.”
Related Terms & Similar Expressions
- Bite the bullet: To endure a painful experience or grin and bear it.
- Burn the midnight oil: To work late into the night.
- Climbing the corporate ladder: Advancing through the ranks in a profession.
- In the trenches: Being deeply involved in arduous work or activity.
- Nose to the grindstone: Focused and hard at work.
Proverbs & Quotes
“A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor.” — English Proverb
“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt
Literature, Songs, & Movies
- Book: The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway 📚 - A story of persistence and struggle.
- Song: “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus 🎵 - Focuses on enduring tough times.
- Movie: Rocky (1976) - The epitome of pushing through hard challenges.
Synonyms
- An uphill battle
- Herculean task
- Tough nut to crack
- Steep hill to climb
Antonyms
- Piece of cake
- Walk in the park
- Smooth sailing
Humor-Filled Thoughts
- “Having a long row to hoe isn’t so bad if you have pod-casts queued up and an imaginary tractor.”
- “Remember, a tough row to hoe builds character. Just hope the payoff is more fruit than sweat!”
📝 Inspirational Thought:
“When faced with a tough row to hoe, remember that every twist and turn, every furrow and ridge, develops the fields of our strength and character. Embrace the journey.” 🌾
— F. K. Fieldgridder
