no picnic

no picnic

Not an easy task; unenjoyable or challenging. I love kids, but watching 20 of them at once is no picnic, believe me! Spending a beautiful Saturday afternoon cleaning out the garage is no picnic.
See also: no, picnic
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

no picnic

Difficult, no fun, as in Recovering from abdominal surgery is no picnic. This expression, alluding to a picnic as a pleasant occasion, was first recorded in 1888.
See also: no, picnic
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

no picnic

No easy task; not an enjoyable experience. This term began to be used frequently in the late nineteenth century. Rudyard Kipling used it several times, as in Wee WillieWinkie (1888): “T’ain’t no bloomin’ picnic in those parts, I can tell you.”
See also: no, picnic
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • be no picnic
  • it's no picnic
  • believe you me
  • Believe you me!
  • believe me
  • it is better to travel hopefully than to arrive
  • on the house
  • what a life
  • what a life!
  • golden handcuffs
References in periodicals archive
The use of the phrase 'no picnic' to describe something difficult
TOP PICNIC PICKS; Whether it's the park or your garden, summer means eating al fresco, so we take a look at the essentials that'll make eating outside fun and hassle-free
No picnic would be complete without Pimms No1 mixed with plenty of fresh fruit, mint and cucumber, and if you are feeling daring a large slug of a half-decent gin.
No picnic would be complete without a good pork pie and a Scotch egg.
WHITSUN DAYS OUT WHITSUN The perfect picnic... From food to drink and everything in between, Adam Hurrell's perfect picnic tips should see you through the summer
The no picnic policy applies to all of the 2015 fixtures except the Blaydon Races Family Fun Day in August.
A blanket ban is put on picnics