be no bed of roses

be no bed of roses

To be a challenging and/or unpleasant situation. Of course that project is no bed of roses—why else would they assign it to a lowly intern like me? Being around my ex-boyfriend is no bed of roses.
See also: bed, no, of, rose
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • be not a bed of roses
  • not be a bed of roses
  • fanigle
  • finagle
  • ace out
  • ace someone out
  • can't punch (one's) way out of a paper bag
  • can't punch one's way out of a paper bag
  • couldn't punch (one's) way out of a paper bag
  • he, she, etc. couldn't punch his, her, etc. way out of a paper bag
References in periodicals archive
For those who do stay, doing their life's work in long-term care will be no bed of roses. For the most committed--the best within all long-term care professions composing the "rainbow" of talent within the field--there will be a reward.
Inspiration might be closer than you think. (Guest Editorial)