crack the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crack the problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about a difficult problem being solved. For example, "After hours of hard work, the team was finally able to crack the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

After healthy debate on how best to crack the problem, they created a simple experiment.

Harvard Business Review

Monsanto also began trying to crack the problem of getting RNA into plants more efficiently.

MIT Technology Review

They could crack the problem very simply if they had the will to do so".

The Guardian

But in recent months, researchers believe they have finally begun to crack the problem — and the results are surprising.

Yale University

They are now hoping that the perfect conditions on the station will help them crack the problem.

The Economist

To crack the problem, Prof Yacoub assembled a team of physicists, biologists, engineers, pharmacologists, cellular scientists and clinicians.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"We won't crack the problems unless we build a more systemic approach".

The Guardian - Books

But some companies now think that they have begun to crack the problems of teaching their staff electronically.

The Economist

There, they cracked the problem by developing chopsticks.

The Guardian - Tech

Yet Burry believed he had cracked the problem of timing.

The Guardian - Film

But Jana Olson, of Rice University in Houston, Texas, and her colleagues think they have cracked the problem.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While widely accepted, "crack the problem" is less formal than "solve the problem" and may not be suitable for all professional settings.

Common error

While "crack the problem" is a useful idiom, avoid using it too frequently in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "solve", "resolve", or "address" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crack the problem" functions as a verb phrase, where "crack" acts as a transitive verb taking "the problem" as its direct object. Ludwig AI indicates that the expression is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

20%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "crack the problem" is a grammatically correct and commonly used idiom that signifies solving a complex issue effectively. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While slightly less formal than alternatives like "solve the problem", it finds frequent use in various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. To maintain writing diversity, synonyms such as "resolve the issue" or "address the challenge" can be used. Remember to consider your audience and the intended tone when deciding whether to employ this idiom.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solve the problem

Uses a more general verb, "solve", instead of the idiomatic "crack", indicating a standard solution.

resolve the issue

Replaces "problem" with "issue", suggesting a less complex or contentious situation.

address the challenge

Substitutes "problem" with "challenge", framing it as something that tests one's abilities rather than a difficulty.

figure out the solution

Emphasizes the process of discovering a solution, using "figure out" instead of a direct action verb.

overcome the obstacle

Presents the problem as an "obstacle", focusing on the act of surpassing a barrier.

get to the bottom of the matter

Indicates a thorough investigation to understand and resolve the underlying causes.

untangle the complexity

Highlights the intricate nature of the problem and the act of simplifying it.

find a workaround

Suggests a practical, albeit possibly temporary, solution to bypass the problem.

iron out the difficulty

Implies smoothing out a minor problem or disagreement, focusing on refinement.

rectify the situation

Focuses on correcting a wrong or undesirable situation, emphasizing restoration to a correct state.

FAQs

How can I use "crack the problem" in a sentence?

You can use "crack the problem" to describe finding a solution to a difficult or complex issue. For example, "The team worked tirelessly to "crack the problem" of data integration."

What are some alternatives to "crack the problem"?

Some alternatives include "solve the problem", "resolve the issue", or "address the challenge". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "crack the problem" formal or informal?

"Crack the problem" is generally considered less formal than phrases like "solve the problem" or "resolve the issue". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing which phrase to use.

What does it mean to "crack the problem"?

To "crack the problem" means to find a solution to a difficult or complex issue, often implying a clever or insightful approach.