a hard act

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hard act" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that is difficult to match or surpass in terms of performance or quality. Example: "After witnessing her incredible performance, I can confidently say that she's a hard act to follow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Pinkerton" is a hard act to follow.

The New York Times - Arts

They have a hard act to follow.

Independent

TALK about a hard act to follow.

The Economist

It was a hard act to follow.

The New York Times - Books

He has a hard act to follow.

The New York Times - Arts

Obama proved a hard act to follow.

The Guardian

Adelaide was a hard act to follow.

The New York Times

Their Hamlet, Rory Kinnear, has a hard act to follow.

Independent

THE Medici are a hard act to follow.

The Economist

His will be a hard act to follow.

The Economist

King Sihanouk will be a hard act to follow.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a hard act to follow", ensure the context clearly establishes what or who set the high standard. This provides clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a hard act to follow" when simply referring to something difficult. The phrase implies a preceding achievement or performance that sets a benchmark.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hard act" functions as a noun phrase, typically part of a predicate nominative or object complement. According to Ludwig AI, it describes someone or something that sets a high standard and is difficult to surpass, often used to characterize a preceding achievement or performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hard act" is a common phrase used to describe someone or something that has set a high standard that is difficult to follow. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what constitutes the high standard. Alternatives like "big shoes to fill" or "a tough challenge" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

big shoes to fill

Idiomatic expression indicating a demanding successor role.

a tall order

Highlights the magnitude of the task to be accomplished.

difficult to surpass

Emphasizes the quality that makes it difficult to exceed.

difficult to replicate

Underscores the uniqueness that makes duplication challenging.

a high standard to meet

Highlights the expectation of maintaining a certain level of excellence.

a gold standard

Highlights an exemplar of excellence that is difficult to match.

a benchmark of quality

Emphasizes the superior level that others are measured against.

a tough challenge

Focuses on the difficulty aspect, rather than the act of following.

a demanding precedent

Stresses the challenging nature of the prior example or event.

an impressive legacy

Focuses on the impact and enduring nature of what came before.

FAQs

How can I use "a hard act to follow" in a sentence?

Use "a hard act to follow" to describe a situation where someone or something has set a very high standard that is difficult to match. For example: "His predecessor's success made him "a hard act to follow"".

What's a good alternative to "a hard act to follow"?

You can use alternatives such as "big shoes to fill", "difficult to surpass", or "a tough challenge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to be "a hard act to follow"?

Not necessarily. While it implies a challenge for successors, being "a hard act to follow" can also be a compliment, recognizing significant accomplishments and high standards.

What makes someone "a hard act to follow"?

Someone becomes "a hard act to follow" by achieving significant success, demonstrating exceptional skill, or setting high standards that are difficult for others to replicate or surpass. It's often a combination of talent, effort, and circumstance.