[Idiom] HAVE YOUR WORK CUT OUT. - Navigating Through Tough Assignments
Have your work cut out.
have a difficult task ahead.
When someone says you 'Have your work cut out,' they mean you're facing a tough, challenging task that will require a lot of effort and determination. This idiom traces back to the tailor's floor, where fabric was 'cut out' into pieces to be assembled into a garment. Just like a tailor who has all pieces cut out knows there's still much meticulous sewing to do, having your work cut out implies that the roadmap is laid out, but the journey is still daunting. For instance, if a student has to prepare for multiple exams in a week, they certainly have their work cut out for them.
Example Sentences
With that many orders, you have your work cut out for you.
With so many orders to fill, you have a lot of work to do.
The new manager has his work cut out to improve sales.
The new manager has a lot of challenges to improve sales.
You have your work cut out for you with all these tasks.
You have a lot of tasks ahead and need to work hard to complete them.