a tough act to follow

a tough 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.

See also: act, follow, tough

tough act to follow

 and hard act to follow

Fig. a difficult presentation or performance to follow or improve upon with one's own performance. Bill's speech was excellent. It was a tough act to follow, but my speech was good also. In spite of the fact that I had a tough act to follow, I did my best.

See also: act, follow, tough

a hard/tough act to ˈfollow

a person or a group that is so good or successful at something that it will be difficult for anyone else who comes after them to be as good or successful: The last head teacher achieved a lot — she’ll be a hard act to follow.

An act is one of several short pieces of entertainment in a show.

See also: act, follow, hard, tough

tough act to follow

See hard act to follow.

See also: act, follow, tough