“A hard/tough nut (to crack)” is a common idiom used in everyday language to describe a problem or situation that is difficult to solve or understand. It is often used to describe a person who is difficult to deal with or a task that requires a lot of effort and skill to complete.
Definitions
The phrase “a hard/tough nut (to crack)” means a problem or situation that is difficult to solve or understand. It can also refer to a person who is difficult to deal with or understand.
Origin
The origin of this phrase is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the 16th century. It may have been inspired by the difficulty of cracking open a hard nut, such as a walnut or hazelnut.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “a hard/tough nut (to crack)” means a difficult problem or a person who is difficult to deal with. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as a difficult problem or a person who is difficult to persuade or influence.
Associations
The phrase “a hard/tough nut (to crack)” is often associated with challenges or obstacles that require a lot of effort and skill to overcome. It is also associated with people who are stubborn or difficult to deal with.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of “a hard/tough nut (to crack)” include:
- A difficult problem.
- A challenge.
- An obstacle.
- A tough cookie.
- A hard case.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of “a hard/tough nut (to crack)” include:
- An easy problem.
- A simple task.
- A straightforward challenge.
- A person who is easy to deal with.
The same root words
The phrase “a hard/tough nut (to crack)” does not have any root words, as it is an idiom.
Example Sentences
- “Solving this math problem is a hard nut to crack.”
- “Dealing with that customer is a tough nut to crack.”
- “Getting her to change her mind is a hard nut to crack.”
- “Figuring out the solution to this puzzle is a tough nut to crack.”
In conclusion, “a hard/tough nut (to crack)” is a common idiom used to describe a problem or situation that is difficult to solve or understand. It can also refer to a person who is difficult to deal with or understand. The phrase has been around for centuries and is still commonly used today.