a hard/tough act to follow
noun phrase
: someone or something that has been so successful that it is very difficult for the person or thing coming next to be as good
Yesterday's thrilling victory will be a tough act to follow.
Examples of a hard/tough act to follow in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
From the newer Glasgow Winterfest in Scotland to Germany’s Dresden Striezelmarkt, the oldest Christmas market in the world dating back to the 1400s, Europe’s markets are a hard act to follow.
—
Roger Sands, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
To be fair, the first Moana is a tough act to follow.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 28 Nov. 2024
Indianapolis' 2024 events calendar will be a tough act to follow.
—Justin L. MacK, Axios, 25 Nov. 2024
Dune won several Oscars for its craft, and Dune: Part Two likely will too, so that’s a tough act to follow.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See all Example Sentences for a hard/tough act to follow 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Roger Sands, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
To be fair, the first Moana is a tough act to follow.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 28 Nov. 2024
Indianapolis' 2024 events calendar will be a tough act to follow.
—Justin L. MacK, Axios, 25 Nov. 2024
Dune won several Oscars for its craft, and Dune: Part Two likely will too, so that’s a tough act to follow.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See all Example Sentences for a hard/tough act to follow
Dictionary Entries Near a hard/tough act to follow
Cite this Entry
“A hard/tough act to follow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20hard%2Ftough%20act%20to%20follow. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share