tall order

Idioms  

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]

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Example Sentences

Going toe-to-toe with the Parisians over the long term, though, remains a tall order for a club which has readily embraced its underdog status.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Replacing armies of professional analysts who spend years studying specific companies, industries or asset classes is a tall order.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

But after more than a decade in which the central bank has operated as one of the largest players in financial markets, reducing that role without rattling the system may be a tall order.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

This is a tall order, however, since a stellar multi-year track record almost always attracts a lot of investment capital.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 8, 2026

My, my, my, that’s a tall order even for someone who’s seasoned as your friend the cap’n is...or was, whatever the case may be.”

From "The Journey of Little Charlie" by Christopher Paul Curtis

Related Words

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