a tough act to follow
a tough act to follow
Someone or something so exemplary that it overshadows anything that follows. I don't know how Mel's replacement will be received by the staff. He was so admired and respected that he'll be a tough act to follow. That award-winning play will be a tough act to follow on Broadway.
See also: act, follow, tough
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
tough act to follow
and hard act to followFig. a difficult presentation or performance to follow or improve upon with one's own performance. Bill's speech was excellent. It was a tough act to follow, but my speech was good also. In spite of the fact that I had a tough act to follow, I did my best.
See also: act, follow, tough
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
a hard/tough act to ˈfollow
a person or a group that is so good or successful at something that it will be difficult for anyone else who comes after them to be as good or successful: The last head teacher achieved a lot — she’ll be a hard act to follow.An act is one of several short pieces of entertainment in a show.
See also: act, follow, hard, tough
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
tough act to follow
See hard act to follow.
See also: act, follow, tough
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- a hard act to follow
- a hard/tough act to follow
- hard act to follow
- tough act to follow
- How's this/that for (something)?
- how's this/that for a...?
- in a million
- (something) in a million
- hold (someone or something) up as an example
- hold up as an example