hard nut to crack

plural hard nuts to crack · alternative harder nut to crack · alternative hardest nut to crack

1. idiomaticA problem that is challenging to solve.

   Germany's inflation proves a hard nut to crack.

   1991 June 14, Leonard Silk, “Economic Scene; Predicting When Upturn Will Start”, in New York Times, retrieved 22 Sep 2011

   1 more example

   He saw the dilemma. . . . It was a hard nut to crack. He could see no way out of it.

   1893, Grant Allen, chapter 11, in Michael's Crag

2. broadlyidiomaticA situation, person, group, etc. which is difficult to overcome or deal with.

   "But Belarus is a hard nut to crack, and it has used these methods to slip out of these East-West pincers before," says Alexander Klaskovsky.

   2011 January 12, Simon Shuster, “Will the E.U. Let Belarus' Despot Off the Hook?”, in Time

   1 more example

   The coast lad found the veteran Mike McTigue a hard nut to crack and judging from the look on the Californian's face when the final bell sounded, he was mighty happy that the fight was over.

   1928 June 8, “Mike McTigue Gives Emanuel a Real Fight”, in Milwaukee Journal, retrieved 22 Sep 2011, page 2

3. idiomaticA place, opportunity, etc. to which it is difficult to gain entry.

   Nice work if you can get it, but the luxury market is a hard nut to crack.

   2008 October 17, Barbara Wall, “Housing crisis? Not for the superrich”, in New York Times, retrieved 22 Sep 2011

   2 more examples

   The next day Archie, with Andrew Macpherson and Cluny Campbell, made their way through the woods until within sight of the castle. . . . "It would be a hard nut to crack, Sir Archie," his lieutenant said. "Unless by famine, the place could scarce be taken."

   1885, G. A. Henty, chapter 7, in In Freedom's Cause

   Durango, however, may be a hard nut to crack, as it is strong strategically and is reported guarded by 4000 rebels.

   1929 March 15, “Five Mexican Armies March to Meet Rebels”, in Reading Eagle, USA, retrieved 22 Sep 2011, page 1

4. idiomaticAn amount that is difficult to finance.
5. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see hard, nut, crack.

   Synonyms: difficult nut to crack, tough nut to crack