hard act to follow
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Also, tough act to follow. An outstanding performance or individual. For example, Lucy was a terrific group leader—hers is a hard act to follow, or Bob's record is excellent—it will be a tough act to follow. This expression, dating from about 1900, was originally used for a particularly good vaudeville act that made the next act look poor by comparison. It soon was extended to other enterprises.
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Words nearby hard act to follow
harbour, harbourage, harbour master, harbour seal, hard, hard act to follow, hard-and-fast, hardanger, hard as nails, hard-ass, hard-asset
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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