hard nut to crack

== English == === Alternative forms === harder nut to crack, hardest nut to crack === Pronunciation === === Noun === hard nut to crack (plural hard nuts to crack) (idiomatic) A problem that is challenging to solve. (idiomatic, by extension) A situation, person, group, etc. which is difficult to overcome or deal with. (idiomatic) A place, opportunity, etc. to which it is difficult to gain entry. (idiomatic) An amount that is difficult to finance. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see hard,‎ nut,‎ crack. ==== Usage notes ==== Tough/er/est nut to crack is by far the most common form in COCA (US), about equal to hard/er/est nut to crack at BNC (UK). ==== Synonyms ==== difficult nut to crack tough nut to crack ==== Translations ====