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

Still, for investors looking to cash their dividend checks and live off the income, accepting an annual payout of less than 1% may be a tall order.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

In January, when technical director Jason Wilcox told the United squad that was the aim despite Ruben Amorim's dismissal, it seemed a tall order.

From BBC • May 8, 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

That’s a tall order for a compact book, especially given its subject’s long, complicated life.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 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