hard nut to crack—(also: tough nut to crack)
1. a difficult problem or task to undertake:
- Opinions vary, but the consensus is that the target is a hard nut to crack.
2. a difficult person to deal with:
- We all know that President Mugabe is not an easy man to bend. He is a hard nut to crack.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase crack a nut—(UK dated) drink a glass of liquor:
- When a fresh guest arrived he was met by the laird, who made him “crack a nut,” that is, drink a silver-mounted cocoanut-shell full of claret.
hard row to hoe—(also: tough row to hoe) = hard nut to crack 1:
- Even without money problems, many divorced single parents have a hard row to hoe.
Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase hard act to follow—(also: tough act to follow) used of an outstanding individual or a particularly good performance that will be difficult to emulate:
- The previous night’s incredible jazz session was a hard act to follow.