a tough nut to crack
/ə ˌtʌf ˈnʌt tə ˈkræk/INFORMAL · B2
Meaning
a problem or person that is very hard to deal with
Examples
- 1This maths puzzle is a tough nut to crack, even for my dad.
- 2The new client was a tough nut to crack, but Maria finally won his trust.
- 3After three meetings the landlord still refuses every offer; he's a tough nut to crack.
- 4Getting Grandad to use a smartphone is a tough nut to crack; after a month he still can't send a text.
- 5After twenty years of failed schemes, city-centre traffic is still a tough nut to crack.
Grammar
A noun phrase, usually after be. to crack stays in the infinitive. a hard nut to crack is also used.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about problems and trouble
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →go pear-shapedto start to fail and turn out badlyopen a can of wormsto start dealing with something that causes many new problemsa vicious circlea situation where one problem causes another that makes the first worseface the musicto accept criticism or punishment for something you didrock the boatto upset a calm situation and cause problemsthrow a spanner in the worksto do something that stops a plan from succeeding
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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