a hard nut to crack
also, a tough nut to crack
Meaning | Synonyms
- a problem that is difficult to solve
- a person that is difficult to deal with
- someone or something that is difficult to understand
- a person hard to get to know or to get close to
Example Sentences
- She's such a tough nut to crack. Nobody seems to be able to get through to her.
- The game on Saturday is against the current champions, so it will be a hard nut to crack.
- The new boss is really hard to figure out. He's going to be a tough nut to crack.
- Good luck trying to get the new guidelines past the head teacher. He's a hard nut to crack.
- Alison has been dating Stan for two years and she still feels like she doesn't know him at times. He must be a tough nut to crack.
- My father loves doing the crossword every day. Sometimes he gets a clue that is a hard nut to crack.
- Mathematics turned out to be a hard nut to crack for students in the examination.
- The mysterious murder case seems a hard nut to crack for police as the officials are still groping in the dark.
- The first four tasks were the toughest nut to crack.
- Jazz is always a tough nut to crack, whether you are playing, recording or even listening.
Origin
This expression is a metaphor alluding to the tough exterior of a nutshell and how hard they are to crack open. It has been in use since the 1700s.
