tougher nut to crack
More difficult problem
A tougher nut to crack is a more difficult problem to solve or person to persuade than another.
The phrase compares challenges to nuts of varying hardness—some yield easily, others resist: The first witness cooperated, but the second one will be a tougher nut to crack.
See also *hard nut to crack*.
- Gordian knotSeemingly unsolvable difficulty
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- brick wallStacked masonry partition
- challengeTest of ability
- tall orderDifficult request to fulfill
dilemma · puzzle · problem · hindrance · mystery · predicament · impasse · snag · enigma · needle in a haystack · wild goose chase · impediment · quandary · hard row to hoe · catch-22 · conundrum · riddle · uphill battle
tougher nut to crackeasy fix
piece of cake · cakewalk · walk in the park · no-brainer · slam dunk
tougher nut to crackpushover
Easily defeated opponent
easy mark · soft touch · open book · easy target · sucker
tough, tougher, toughest, toughly, toughness, toughen, toughened, toughening, nuttier