Hard act to follow
noun phrase
Something or someone difficult to rival or beat: Dr Nick’s going to be a hard act to follow
[1975+; from the notion of a performer coming next on a variety bill]
Related Terms
not touch someone or something with a ten-foot pole
Also, tough act to follow. An outstanding performance or individual. For example, Lucy was a terrific group leader—hers is a hard act to follow, or Bob’s record is excellent—it will be a tough act to follow. This expression, dating from about 1900, was originally used for a particularly good vaudeville act that made the next act look poor by comparison. It soon was extended to other enterprises.
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[hahrd-n-fast, -fahst] /ˈhɑrd nˈfæst, -ˈfɑst/ adjective 1. strongly binding; not to be set aside or violated: hard-and-fast rules.
- Hardanger
[hahr-dang-er] /hɑrˈdæŋ ər/ noun 1. embroidery openwork having elaborate symmetrical designs created by blocks of satin stitches within which threads of the embroidery fabric are removed.
- Hardass
[hahrd-as] /ˈhɑrdˌæs/ noun, Slang: Vulgar. 1. a person who follows rules and regulations meticulously and enforces them without exceptions. adjective : Some are hard-ass disciplinarians/ even your most hardassed rightwingers had some showboat in them noun A severe and often pugnacious person;: I’ve gotten the reputation as being a hard-ass (1940s+)
- Hard-ass
[hahrd-as] /ˈhɑrdˌæs/ noun, Slang: Vulgar. 1. a person who follows rules and regulations meticulously and enforces them without exceptions. adjective : Some are hard-ass disciplinarians/ even your most hardassed rightwingers had some showboat in them noun A severe and often pugnacious person;: I’ve gotten the reputation as being a hard-ass (1940s+)
- Hard-asset
[hahrd-as-et] /ˈhɑrdˈæs ɛt/ adjective 1. denoting an asset with intrinsic value: diamonds and other hard-asset commodities.