have one's work cut out for one

present singular third person has one's work cut out for one · participle present having one's work cut out for one · participle past had one's work cut out for one · past had one's work cut out for one · alternative have one's work cut out

1. idiomaticTo face a large task or project.

   If he plans to translate all the idioms, he has his work cut out for him.

   2 more examples

   While Henry will no doubt earmark areas for improvement, and take into account the weakness of the opposition, it was a far more efficient and focused display than against Tonga and suggests the French will have their work cut out to avoid finishing second in the group in Auckland next week.

   2011 September 16, Ben Dirs, “Rugby World Cup 2011: New Zealand 83-7 Japan”, in BBC Sport

   Republicans will have their work cut out for them trying to shift blame to Democrats for their own erratic, haphazard and incoherent process.

   2018 January 18, Jennifer Rubin, “How the Republicans are blowing their blame game”, in The Washington Post