用a tall order表达“艰巨的任务”

我们可以用短语 a tall order 来比喻一件非常困难的或一项非常艰巨的任务。

• The client wants me to deliver the project by tomorrow. It‘s a tall order but I‘ll try.
• What!? You want me to do the shopping, clean the flat, mow the lawn and prepare lunch all before your parents arrive at midday? That‘s a tall order!
• I‘ve done no preparation at all before tomorrow‘s exam. It‘s a tall order, but if I study all night I might pass.

值得注意的是，不要把 a tall order 同 out of order 相混淆。后者的意思是做事没有章法引起讲话者的不满。

• I hate the way Dave smokes in the same room as the kids. It‘s so out of order.