From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈtæskˌmæstɚ/
taskmaster (plural taskmasters)
- Someone who supervises workers, especially one who imposes hard or burdensome work.
- (figuratively) A source of hard work or responsibility.
2023 June 4, Charles Hugh Smith, What Happens When the Competent Opt Out?[1]:
It all looked so easy when the competent were at the helm, but reality is a cruel taskmaster, and all the excuses that worked as an underling wear thin once the incompetent are in leadership roles.