Find the word definition

Wiktionary
heavy lifting

alt. (context idiomatic English) The most demanding part of an endeavour; work requiring the most effort, resources, or consideration. n. (context idiomatic English) The most demanding part of an endeavour; work requiring the most effort, resources, or consideration.

WordNet
heavy lifting

n. difficult work; "the boss hoped the plan would succeed but he wasn't willing to do the heavy lifting"