have one's work cut out for one

have one's work cut out for one

1. To face a large task or project.

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

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

     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.

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

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

• be in for
• run for one's money