Idioms

a head-scratcher

a head-scratcher

A thoroughly complex or difficult mystery, problem, puzzle, or riddle. I'm not sure how we'll be able to reach an agreement with the labor unions on this issue. It's a head-scratcher, to be sure. A: "What is weightless but can be seen, and if you put it in a bucket, it will make the bucket lighter?" B: "Hmm, I don't know. That's a real head-scratcher!" The complete lack of physical evidence has made the case a head-scratcher for forensic detectives.
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References in periodicals archive
It was a head-scratcher. While Ayer did focus on the enduring reason why young men avoid the priesthood--celibacy--it did that from the perspective of...
While the moderation in EBITDA growth guidance is understandable in the context of trade and global growth concerns, the free cash guidance of $650M "was a head-scratcher," Mehrotra tells investors in a research note.
He told a bemused press conference: "When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea." It's still a head-scratcher, long after the ship has sailed...
Alas, this NBC series by way of France doesn't make that turn, leaving behind a head-scratcher of a show, derived from a last-century French movie written by Luc Besson ("Taxi"), and casting "Grey's Anatomy" alum Chyler Leigh as the latest in a long line of unconvincing hardbitten smallscreen detectives.
A bit of a head-scratcher, it''ll certainly form the basis of many a debate long after the end credits roll.
It was a head-scratcher that haunts us to this day.
The combination seems like a head-scratcher at first: a cherished, classic ballet movie; a genial, old-school tap master; and a hit-machine soul band from the '70s.
FINNERAN/COUNTERPOINT: "I'm not challenging the validity of that [the point that the longer students are in school the worse they do] but it's a head-scratcher," Finneran responds.
Henlow is best given the widest of berths, and Nottingham's five opens have a definite feeling of card-padding, although the closing 10pm over 500m is a bit of a head-scratcher.
While data seems relatively in line with standard of care, data is also consistent with management's previously-articulated definition of success, Raymond tells investors in a research note titled "Rova-T Setback a Head-Scratcher to Us." The analyst adds, however, that he does not model for Rova-T, therefore the news does not impact his valuation.
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