a tough act to follow

Meaning

This expression refers to a person, performance, or achievement that has been so outstandingly successful that whatever or whoever comes next is highly likely to seem poor by comparison. It originates from variety theater but is now widely used in business, sports, and everyday life.

Examples

• Her predecessor did an amazing job, so she's going to be a tough act to follow.

  Her predecessor did an amazing job, so she's going to be a tough act to follow.

• That spectacular opening ceremony is definitely a tough act to follow for the next host city.

  That spectacular opening ceremony is definitely a tough act to follow for the next host city.

• After his brilliant presentation, I knew I had a tough act to follow.

  After his brilliant presentation, I knew I had a tough act to follow.

• The band's first album was a massive hit, making it a tough act to follow for their second release.

  The band's first album was a massive hit, making it a tough act to follow for their second release.

• My brother graduated top of his class, leaving me with a tough act to follow.

  My brother graduated top of his class, leaving me with a tough act to follow.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He is a hard action to follow.

  ✓ He is a tough act to follow.

  The idiom specifically uses 'act' (referring to a theatrical performance) and 'tough' (or 'hard'), not 'action'.

• ✗ The previous manager is a tough act to follow her.

  ✓ The previous manager is a tough act to follow.

  Do not add an object pronoun after 'follow' when using this set phrase.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The retired CEO left the company in record-breaking shape; she is definitely ___.

  💡 An idiom meaning hard to match or surpass.

  Show answer

  a tough act to follow

• I have to speak right after the keynote presenter, which is going to be ___.

  💡 Think of a theatrical act that is hard to succeed.

  Show answer

  a tough act to follow