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Region: General | Usage example: The negotiation remained a hard nut to crack.

Hard nut to crack

Meaning

Something difficult to solve.

Usage

Used for stubborn problems.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Resembling the difficulty of cracking hard nuts.

Used since the 1800s.

Related Idioms

Crack the whip

Use authority to ensure discipline or faster work.

Between a rock and a hard place

Stuck between two negative options.

Drive a hard bargain

Negotiate firmly for favorable terms.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.