a specific task or challenge that will be especially difficult, particularly in comparison to related work that must also be completed; for example: “Getting the Asia-Pacific region to sign off on the global sales approach will be a tough row to hoe”; comes from the traditional preparation of farmland using an implement to till the soil and create regular furrows in advance of seeding; during this process certain areas would require more effort due to the presence of rocks, weeds, or other irregularities; this phrase serves as an alternate version of tough putt, for those more agriculturally-inclined, and may not be fully comprehended by listeners far removed from pastoral settings