a tough nut的意思|示意

English Idiom “A Tough Nut to Crack”

The English idiomatic expression “a tough nut to crack” is often used to describe someone or something that is difficult to understand or solve. For example, if someone were to remark that a math problem was “a tough nut to crack”, they would be indicating that figuring out the answer would be a considerable challenge.

This expression dates back to the days of the American Frontier in the late 18th century. Back then, men participating in bar games would often gamble on exercises of strength and skill. One of the most popular gambles was called “cracking the nut.” This involved one person breaking an opened chestnut shell with their teeth, while the other people gathered around in anticipation. Some of these chestnuts were said to be so hard that no one could break them, leading to the phrase “tough nut to crack.”

Nowadays this phrase is commonly used to describe any person or thing that is very hard to understand, figure out, or solve. For example, if someone were to remark that someone else was a “tough nut to crack”, they would be indicating that the said person was very hard to get to know or understand. Similarly, if someone were to remark on how a certain job interview was “a tough nut to crack”, they would be indicating that the questions asked were very complicated and hard to answer.

In conclusion, “a tough nut to crack” is an expression popularly used to convey a sense of difficulty in relation to a person, object or situation. It’s a phrase that’s been around for centuries, and is likely to stick around for many more.