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Tough Nut to Crack

What Does "Tough Nut to Crack" Mean?

homeidiomsTough Nut to Crack
"Tough nut to crack" is an English idiom. It means "a challenging problem or person that is difficult to understand, influence, or solve."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "tough nut to crack" used in a sentence:
  • She's known as a tough nut to crack when it comes to negotiations; it takes skill and patience to reach an agreement with her.
  • The complex puzzle proved to be a tough nut to crack, stumping even the most experienced solvers.
  • He's a tough nut to crack emotionally, and it may take time for him to open up and share his feelings.
meaning for tough nut to crack

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Tough Nut to Crack" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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