a tough nut

a tough nut (to crack)

also a hard nut (to crack)

a difficult problem to solve Unemployment is a tough nut. Overcoming local trade barriers is going to be a hard nut to crack.

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Karol	KAH-rawl (Polish)	Polish, Slovak, Slovene
Mccord	[mə'kɔ:d]
Sabinus	-	Ancient Roman
Giosetta	jo-ZET-tah	Italian
Hussein	-	Arabic
BhÀTair	-	Scottish