get a big row to hoe
"It's so amazing that so many people still think the law was either repealed or never got passed," Gmeiner said," One senior said,' You're talking as if this is really going to happen.' Well, it's happening. But we've got a big row to hoe when it comes to getting the word out."
What does the phrase mean?

Question

get a big row to hoe
"It's so amazing that so many people still think the law was either repealed or never got passed," Gmeiner said," One senior said,' You're talking as if this is really going to happen.' Well, it's happening. But we've got a big row to hoe when it comes to getting the word out."
What does the phrase mean?

Answer

I have never heard this phrase used before, but I think it means they have a lot of work to do.

In a garden crops are planted in rows.  A farmer would use a hoe, which is a tool with a handle like a rake or shovel but the tool on the end is a hard metal edge bent  in a 90 degree angle meant to scrape and push the soil.  It makes sense that a  "big row to hoe" would mean a lot of work to do.  However, there may be some other details, subtle nuances, about the analogy I am missing because I have never actually hoed a big row before.

Answer

Saying "a big row to hoe" means that it will be a tough task and a lot of work.

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