a Hard Nut to Crack

Posted on the 05 August 2020 by Idioms

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

  1. She's such a tough nut to crack. Nobody seems to be able to get through to her.
  2. The game on Saturday is against the current champions, so it will be a hard nut to crack.
  3. The new boss is really hard to figure out. He's going to be a tough nut to crack.
  4. Good luck trying to get the new guidelines past the head teacher. He's a hard nut to crack.
  5. 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.
  6. My father loves doing the crossword every day. Sometimes he gets a clue that is a hard nut to crack.
  7. Mathematics turned out to be a hard nut to crack for students in the examination.
  8. The mysterious murder case seems a hard nut to crack for police as the officials are still groping in the dark.
  9. The first four tasks were the toughest nut to crack.
  10. 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.