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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

have one's work cut out for one en · VERB

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic) To face a large task or project.
    • 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:
    • If he plans to translate all the idioms, he has his work cut out for him.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
have one's work cut out alternative lexicographic
has one's work cut out for one Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
having one's work cut out for one Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
had one's work cut out for one Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
had one's work cut out for one Tense=Past lexicographic

Relateds

job of work · run for one's money · be in for

Translations (18)

ar عنده شغل كثير (Translations) · ar أمامه مهمة صعبة (Translations) · de ein schönes Stück Arbeit vor sich haben (Translations) · ru име́ть пе́ред собо́й тру́дную зада́чу (Translations) · ru име́ть по го́рло рабо́ты (Translations) · ar عليه يشمر عن ساعديه (Translations) · ru придётся попоте́ть (Translations) · de gut zu tun haben (Translations) · ar قدامه عمل شاق (Translations) · es tener mucho trabajo por delante (Translations) · uk мати багато роботи (Translations) · ar عليه شغل كثير (Translations) · fr avoir du pain sur la planche (Translations) · es tener mucha tela que cortar (Translations) · uk прийдеться попотіти (Translations) · ar مهمته صعبة (Translations) · pl mieć po uszy roboty (Translations) · uk мати по горло роботи (Translations)