hard act to follow

a hard act to follow

Someone or something so exemplary that it overshadows anything that follows. I don't know how Mel's replacement will be received by the staff. He was so admired and respected that he'll be a tough act to follow. That award-winning play will be a tough act to follow on Broadway. She is such a talented singer that she'll be a hard act to follow in the talent show.
See also: act, follow, hard, to
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

hard act to follow

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.
See also: act, follow, hard, to
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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