riddle wrapped in an enigma
Deeply obscure puzzle
A riddle wrapped in an enigma describes something deeply mysterious or incomprehensible—a puzzle nested inside another puzzle.
The phrase originated with Winston Churchill describing Soviet intentions in 1939, and now applies to anything bafflingly opaque: Her motivations remain a riddle wrapped in an enigma.
Often used with mild exasperation or humor.
- decipherConvert code to plaintext
- conundrumPerplexing problem or question
- decodeConvert from cipher
- hidden meaningUnspoken message beneath surface
- figure outDetermine through reasoning
puzzle · uncertainty · figure of speech · ambiguity · inscrutable · baffling · cryptic · secret code · hard to crack · labyrinth · opaque · perplexing · Churchill · sphinx · paradox · analyze · truth-seeking · Soviet Union
riddle wrapped in an enigmaopen book
One easily understood
crystal clear · plain as day · straightforward · transparent · obvious
riddle wrapped in an enigmaopen book
One easily understood
what you see is what you get · straight shooter · honest broker · forthright · candid
riddle wrapped in an enigmachild's play
Something extremely easy
piece of cake · walk in the park · simple · uncomplicated · basic
riddle, riddled, riddling, riddles, wrapped, wrapping, wrapper, wrappers, enigma