MEANING
To face a task that will require considerable effort or be difficult to complete.
Use it for
describing a challenging task ahead; acknowledging how much effort success will require; setting realistic expectations about a difficult job; distinguishing demanding work from an easy assignmentDescribes a demanding task ahead rather than merely a large number of separate duties. Writing functions: Difficulty / Demanding task. Semantic categories (by meaning): Difficulty / Demanding task. Contexts: General conversation; Creative prose.
Words that belong together
- have your work cut out for you
- have your work cut out to do something
On the page
With only two days to restore the archive, the team has its work cut out.
She will have her work cut out persuading both sides to accept the same timetable.
Word forms
- Base
- have your work cut out
Usage notes
Verbal idiom: have/has/had/having one’s work cut out, often for one or to do something. Example: she has her work cut out for her. Register: neutral. Commonness: common (qualitative editorial estimate, informed by dictionaries/corpus).
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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