菱角磨作鸡头 is an idiom

菱角磨作鸡头líng jiǎo mó zuò jī tóu

比喻困难大，波折多。

Word breakdown for “菱角磨作鸡头”: Open in Reader →

water caltrop (Trapa species), aquatic plant with edible seeds

磨HSK 6

1.to rub2.to grind3.to polish4.to sharpen+5 more +6 more

1.grindstone2.to grind3.to turn round

1.(bound form) worker2.(bound form) workshop3.(slang) troublesome; high-maintenance (person)

作HSK 6

1.to do; to engage in2.to write; to compose3.to pretend; to feign4.to regard as; to consider to be+3 more +4 more

鸡雞HSK 2

1.fowl2.chicken3.(slang) prostitute

鸡鷄HSK 2

variant of 鸡[jī]

头頭HSK 2

1.head2.hair style3.the top4.end+10 more +11 more

suffix for nouns