IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishhave one's work cut out
Meaning: To face a difficult task.
Example: “With a new baby and a new job, they have their work cut out for them.”
Origin: Probably from tailoring, where cloth is cut out before sewing begins; originally it meant having work prepared. The sense of a hard task ahead is from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Avoir du pain sur la planche Literally: To have bread on the board
More English idioms
- hale and hearty Healthy and strong, especially in old age.
- find one's sea legs To get used to a boat's movement; to grow comfortable in a new situation.
- break a leg Good luck, said to a performer before going on stage.
- hey presto Said when something happens suddenly, as if by magic.
- set the cat among the pigeons To say or do something that causes trouble or uproar.
- storm clouds are gathering Trouble is coming.
Explore another collection: False Friends
Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.
- Sensible Actually means 'sensitive'. For sensible/level-headed, say raisonnable.
- Librairie Actually means 'bookshop'. A library is une bibliothèque.
- Constipado Actually means 'having a head cold'. Estoy constipado = I have a cold.
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