demanding

demand (something) of (someone or something)

To insist that someone or something do, provide, or relinquish something. I demand the full attention of my students, so if you plan to nap or socialize in here, then you might as well drop this class right now. You're really demanding a lot of our washer by throwing such a big load in there. She demands a lot of her interns—namely, full cooperation. Hope you're OK with fetching coffee and doing any menial task she can think of.

See also: demand, of

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*tough on someone

severe and demanding in dealing with someone. (*Typically: act ~; be ~; become ~; get~.) My boss is very tough on me, but I need the structure and discipline.

See also: on, tough

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.