Early profits also offer protection when the corporate parent runs into tough sledding.

There was to be no tough sledding for this consumer, who never bit his nails over Aristotle.

There is some tough sledding before you get to the fun part.

Teaching beauty techniques turns out to be tough sledding.

But there's going to be tough sledding ahead, if he expects real results.

"But it has been tough sledding here, and it didn't make me popular."

If the markets sour, they could have fairly tough sledding.

"Now it is going to be tough sledding for the people who want to follow them."

"It has been tough sledding," said one trader involved in the deal.

The plan faces tough sledding in Congress, although it may still be instituted by a presidential decree.