[hard row to hoe] или [tough row to hoe] {n. phr.}
трудная жизнь; очень трудная работа.
* /She has a hard row to hoe with six children and her husband dead./* /Young people without enough education will have a tough row to hoe when they have to support themselves./
Син..: HARD SLEDDING.
Ср.: DOWN ON ONE'S LUCK, HARD NUT TO CRACK.