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Use a Sledgehammer to Crack a Nut

What Does "Use a Sledgehammer to Crack a Nut" Mean?

homeidiomsUse a Sledgehammer to Crack a Nut
"Use a sledgehammer to crack a nut" is an English idiom. It means "to use disproportionate force or effort to solve a minor problem."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "use a sledgehammer to crack a nut" used in a sentence:
  • Sending the entire team to fix this issue is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
  • Why hire an expert just to fix a leaky faucet? It's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
  • You don't need to rewrite the whole essay, just make a few edits. Don't use a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
meaning for use a sledgehammer to crack a nut

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 "Use a Sledgehammer to Crack a Nut" 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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