a difficult problem or person to deal with · a challenging situation
Ever faced a business challenge that just wouldn't budge? 😫 Or a client so demanding they made you want to pull your hair out? 🤯 This expression is your go-to when you encounter something or someone incredibly difficult to manage or overcome. It's like saying, 'This is going to require some serious brainpower!'
💡 **Origin Story!** This idiom comes from the literal act of trying to crack a very hard nut, like a walnut or a pecan, which requires effort and often special tools. 🥜 Just like those stubborn nuts, some business problems need extra effort, creativity, or negotiation skills to 'crack' them open! Use it to describe complex projects, tricky negotiations, or even a stubborn competitor.
When would you most appropriately use the expression 'A tough nut to crack'? A. Talking about a new employee who is learning fast. B. Describing a simple task that was completed quickly. C. Referring to a difficult problem that required a lot of effort to solve.