difficult to crack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to crack" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is hard to understand, solve, or break into, such as a code or a problem. Example: "The new encryption method is difficult to crack, making it more secure than previous versions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"But it's very difficult to crack down on the use of cracked decoders by consumers - so many people are doing it, it is becoming the norm.

BBC

Some closed circles may be just too difficult to crack.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even with the best of will, this problem is difficult to crack.

The Economist

Sjugirov chose the Caro-Kann Defense, which can be difficult to crack.

The New York Times

The Humane Society said such loopholes made it even more difficult to crack down on cockfighting.

The New York Times

For more globally popular games, the US is notoriously difficult to crack.

The Guardian - Opinion

But hedge funds are one asset class that has remained stubbornly difficult to crack open.

The Guardian

In part, that is because some diseases are proving to be difficult to crack.

The New York Times

He said: "It's difficult to crack down on synthetic cannabinoids in terms of regulation.

The Guardian

The state and local government market for information technology is scattered and difficult to crack.

The New York Times

A personal recommendation can also help you enter a field that's difficult to crack.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing complex systems or problems, use "difficult to crack" to highlight the challenge in understanding or solving them. For example, "The encryption algorithm is extremely difficult to crack, ensuring data security."

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to crack" when describing simple physical actions. It's more appropriate for abstract or complex scenarios. Instead of saying "The door was difficult to crack open", use "difficult to open" or "hard to force open".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to crack" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the quality of being challenging to break, solve, or understand. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to crack" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe something that is challenging to solve, understand, or break. Ludwig AI indicates its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as science. When using the phrase, consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the intended level of complexity or resistance. For simpler physical actions, alternative expressions like "difficult to break" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to decipher

Emphasizes the challenge of understanding something complex or encoded.

challenging to solve

Highlights the difficulty in finding a solution to a problem or puzzle.

tough to figure out

Focuses on the mental effort required to understand or resolve something.

not easily broken

Implies resilience and resistance to being fractured or compromised.

resistant to analysis

Suggests that the subject is difficult to examine and understand thoroughly.

impenetrable

Highlights the impossibility of getting through or understanding something.

formidable

Emphasizes the strength and difficulty in overcoming something.

demanding to resolve

Highlights the high level of effort required to bring something to a conclusion.

a conundrum

Indicates something that is perplexing and difficult to understand or explain.

an uphill battle

Describes a situation that requires a lot of effort and is difficult to win or achieve.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to crack" in a sentence?

Use "difficult to crack" to describe something challenging to solve, understand, or break. For example, "The code was so complex it was very difficult to crack."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to crack"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to decipher", "challenging to solve", or "tough to figure out" depending on the context.

Is "difficult to crack" formal or informal?

"Difficult to crack" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's often found in news and media.

When is it appropriate to use "difficult to crack" over "difficult to break"?

Use "difficult to crack" when something requires intellectual effort or a specific skill to overcome, such as a code or a market. Use "difficult to break" when referring to physical objects or systems.