hard nut to crack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard nut to crack" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a problem that is tricky or difficult to solve. For example, "The math problem on the exam was a hard nut to crack."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It'll be a hard nut to crack.

The Guardian

"Marc was a hard nut to crack," he said.

The New York Times

Nostalgia is, ultimately, a hard nut to crack.

The New York Times

Wiggins, however, now looks a hard nut to crack.

The Guardian - Sport

The American sculptor H. C. Westermann (1922-1981) is a hard nut to crack.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Klein said that parsing the intentions, or the honesty, of the investors was "a very hard nut to crack".

The New York Times

But that also means that the tensions that make missile defense such a hard nut to crack remain in place.

The New York Times

"Critics and scholars (and translators)," Carson goes on, "agree, this scene is a hard nut to crack.

The Guardian - Books

And of course there's the age-old problem of how you keep the bad guy from stealing the show, which proves a particularly hard nut to crack here.

The New York Times

"The food category has been a hard nut to crack because it's a perishable item," said Mark Suster, an investor at GRP Partners.

The New York Times

Initially Khan was "a hard nut to crack" but then he talked, perhaps deciding that his future lay with the ISI rather than al-Qaida.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "hard nut to crack" when describing a situation, person, or problem that requires significant effort and ingenuity to overcome. It's best suited for contexts where the difficulty is a central theme.

Common error

While "hard nut to crack" is a vivid idiom, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound cliché and less impactful. Opt for more literal language in some instances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard nut to crack" functions as an idiomatic expression used adjectivally to describe something or someone that is difficult to deal with, solve, or understand. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples show it describing people, problems, and systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard nut to crack" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe something or someone that is difficult to deal with or understand. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts. The phrase functions adjectivally, conveying a sense of difficulty. While versatile, avoid overuse to maintain the impact of your writing. Alternatives like "difficult to solve" or "tough to handle" can be considered depending on the specific context. The most frequent sources for this expression are News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business sectors, as indicated by Ludwig's analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to solve

Focuses on the difficulty of finding a solution to a problem, shifting the emphasis from the entity causing the difficulty to the problem itself.

tough to handle

Emphasizes the difficulty in managing or dealing with a situation or person.

challenging to overcome

Highlights the struggle involved in surpassing an obstacle or difficulty.

intractable difficulty

Highlights the persistent and unsolvable nature of the problem.

formidable obstacle

Presents the difficulty as a significant barrier, emphasizing its size and potential impact.

unyielding challenge

Emphasizes the resistance and difficulty in confronting the challenge.

complex issue

Indicates that the difficulty arises from the intricate nature of the subject matter.

stubborn problem

Suggests the difficulty stems from the problem's resistance to being resolved.

demanding task

Focuses on the high level of effort and skill required to complete the task.

awkward predicament

Highlights a difficult or unpleasant situation that is hard to escape from.

FAQs

How can I use "hard nut to crack" in a sentence?

You can use "hard nut to crack" to describe someone difficult to persuade or understand, such as "He's a "hard nut to crack"." It can also describe a problem that's difficult to solve: "This puzzle is a "hard nut to crack"."

What are some alternatives to "hard nut to crack"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "difficult to solve", "tough to handle", or "challenging to overcome". The best choice depends on whether you're emphasizing the difficulty of a person or a situation.

Is "tough nut to crack" the same as "hard nut to crack"?

"Tough nut to crack" is a very similar idiom to "hard nut to crack" and can often be used interchangeably. Both phrases mean something or someone is difficult to deal with or understand.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "hard nut to crack"?

The phrase "hard nut to crack" is appropriate when describing a person, problem, or situation that presents a significant challenge or resistance to being resolved or understood. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.