tall order

1. A goal that is hard to fulfill or achieve, as in Getting a thousand new subscribers is a tall order indeed. This expression uses tall in the sense of “impressively great” or “difficult.” [c. 1900]

Example Sentences

But replacing Lake’s leadership is a tall order.

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Sudani needs to win enough seats in Parliament to show that he can’t be shunted aside, analysts said, a tall order.

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Eight scoreless innings is a tall order for any pitcher, even one as accomplished as Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner.

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But, Mr. Reiner explains, it was a tall order to persuade financiers of the possibilities of an imitation documentary about a nonexistent band.

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He added: "It's a tall order. Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson did such a remarkable job over the years."

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Related Words

• arduous 
• challenging 
• intimidating 
• onerous 
• powerful 
• tough 
• tremendous