A hard nut to crack

Meaning

"A hard nut to crack" is an idiom that means someone or something is very difficult to persuade, convince, or change. It is a metaphorical expression that suggests the person or thing being described is like a tough shell or nut that is resistant to efforts to break it open.

Usage

• The boss was a hard nut to crack, and he never gave an inch when it came to his demands.
• My sister is a hard nut to crack; she never shares her secrets with anyone.
• He's a hard nut to crack, but once you get past his rough exterior, you find a kind-hearted person.
• The problem was a hard nut to crack, and we had to try multiple solutions before finding one that worked.
• This case is a hard nut to crack; we need more evidence before we can make an arrest.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "a hard nut to crack" is uncertain, but it has been in use since at least the 19th century. One possible origin is that the phrase comes from the difficulty of cracking a hard-shelled nut like a cashew or peanut. Another possibility is that the phrase comes from the difficulty of persuading someone who is stubborn or resistant to change. Over time, the meaning and usage of the idiom have remained relatively consistent. However, it has become more commonly used in contemporary language, particularly in informal contexts.

Synonyms in English

• A tough cookie to crack
• A difficult person to persuade
• A stubborn mule who's hard to sway
• A hard sell
• A hard nut to crack

Synonyms in other languages

• French: Un noyau dur à craquer (a tough shell that is hard to break)
• Spanish: Un granito duro de romper (a tough gem that is difficult to crack open)
• Italian: Un nocciolo difficile da scassare (a hard nut that is difficult to crack open)
• German: Ein harter Eiernuss zu zerschießen (a hard egg that is difficult to crack open)
• Dutch: Een vliegende steen die niet in het water loopt (a flying stone that does not land in the water)

Similar Idioms

• alter ego

• pain in the neck

• apple of eye