Idioms for IELTS: Tough Nut to Crack
“It’s a hard nut to crack” or “it’s a tough nut to crack” is a great expression. This is used in two different situations:
- talking about a problem that is difficult to solve
- talking about a person who is difficult to understand
Model Sentences with Idiom
See the examples below for how this expression can be used:
- The problem of turning the failing health system around is a tough nut to crack.
- IELTS is a really hard nut to crack. There’s so much to learn and so many challenges to face in the test.
- He’s not the most forth-coming of people and can be quite secretive. He’s been described as a tough nut to crack and I’d have to agree.
- I can’t find any reasonable solution for the problem. It certainly is a tough nut to crack. I think everyone would agree.
- She’s been working here for over 5 years now but still doesn’t really socialise with anyone or even talk to anyone much for that matter. She’s a hard nut to crack.
Can you add any other model sentences with this idiom? Post them in the comments box below.
Note: This expression is an idiom and should not be used in academic writing. However, it’s very good to use it in your IELTS speaking test.
Tip: In sentence 2 above, the words “many challenges to face” are also idiomatic. You don’t have to use actual idioms to use idiomatic language. So, don’t over load your answers with idioms – just use the odd one or two in a natural way.
All the best
Liz
Our leaders are making it seem like the problem of irregular power supply in Nigeria is a hard nut to crack, meanwhile, in reality, it isn’t.
Many self-claimed translators, who are unfortunately believed to be doing the job well, do translate irresponsibly and erroneously documents. However, the good, reliable and correct translation is always a hard nut to crack.
Abrupt racism crime related coronavirus recently is tough nut to crack
Dealing with covid 19 epipheny is, indeed, a hard nut to crack.
a
The unprecedented outbreak of Covid 19 virus is indeed a tough nut to crack.
I can’t score band 9 in IELTS
It’s really a hard nut to crack
Containing the spread of Coronavirus is a hard nut to crack for many countries.
Every year hundreds of thousands of neet aspirants take this exam but only few of them manage to clear it. Passing the test is becoming a hard nut to crack.
Having thought I had prepared enough for ielts exams, getting an overall band score of 7.5 was a hard nut to crack.
Grasping the rudiments of IELTS is indeed a tough nut to crack.
Good one 🙂 “grasping the rudiments” is excellent vocab 🙂
Dealing with idiomatic expressions in the IELTS test is a tough nut to crack
🙂
Learning to master Indian cuisine is hard to crack.
🙂
Thanks for this idiom Liz 🙂
can I use “having said that” in my conclusion . Is it appropriate for academic writing, I mean is it formal?
It’s informal. If the word “said” is used, it is usually for spoken English or informal writing.
Despite IELTS being a hard nut to crack, you will find it easy to succeed by referring to ieltsliz website
🙂
To prepare coronavirus virus antidote is hard nut to crack
Only articles missing:
To prepare a coronavirus antidote is a hard nut to crack.
She considers raising a child singlehandedly a hard nut to crack.
Dealing with the problems that arise from raising a child single-handedly can be tough to crack.
In this example it is possible to omit the word “nut”.
Unemployment rate I my country is becoming a tough nut to crack.
Solving the problem of high unemployment in my country is becoming …
The love of money is destroying our youth tremendously is a hard nut to crack
Just punctuation and grammar:
“The love of money is destroying our youth. This problem is a hard nut to crack.”
Getting and preparing for erasmus scholarship is a hard nut to crack .
Good.
Overcoming the break out of the Coronavirus would be a tough nut to break.
“would” or “is”?
I said to my son not to travelling in this difficult time but it’s a tough nut to track.
I think I wouldn’t use it in this case. I might write:
I said to my son not to travel during this difficult time but it’s hard to get through to him.
Coronavirus is rampantly spreading all over the world. Certainly, a virus without a cure at the present, is a hard nut to crack.
Alternatively, I suppose we can write: Convincing my child not to travel during this difficult time is a hard nut to crack.
Great 🙂
For the time being, the world can’t find any reasonable treatment for corona virus .It certainly is a tough nut to crack.
Agreed.
IELTS will not a tough nut to crack if you follow IELTSLiZ.
… will not be … 🙂
Actually I think any issue isn’t hard nut to crack if you would try
with your full gratitude & positive attitude.
Nice. Just check your language:
Actually I think no problem is a hard nut to crack if you tackle it with determination and a positive attitude.
Coronavirus is predominantly spreading all over the world to find a exact treatment for this disease is like a hard nut to crack.
Good example, but you don’t need “like” 🙂
Making people empathetic towards animals is a hard nut to crack.
Good example 🙂