What does ‘a hard nut to crack’ mean?
To “a hard nut to crack” means to a difficult problem or person to deal with. Recorded in English from the 18th century; Brewer's lists it as a proverbial phrase.
Origin
- Recorded in English from the 18th century; Brewer's lists it as a proverbial phrase.
How to use it
- Common description of tough problems.
- Example: That contract clause is a hard nut to crack.
Source:
Last verified: 2026-07-18
- Definitions and origins are drawn from public-domain reference works, primarily Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898), with modern usage notes clearly marked.