nut (redirected from using a sledgehammer to crack a nut)

*off one's rocker and *off one's nut; *off one's trolley

Fig. crazy; silly. (*Typically: be ~; go ~.) Sometimes, Bob, I think you're off your rocker. Good grief, John. You're off your nut.

See also: rocker

(a) hard nut to crack and (a) tough nut to crack

Fig. difficult person or problem to deal with. This problem is getting me down. It's a hard nut to crack. Tom sure is a hard nut to crack. I can't figure him out.

See also: crack, hard

He that would eat the kernel must crack the nut.

Prov. You have to work if you want to get anything good. If you want to be a good pianist, you have to practice every day. He that would eat the kernel must crack the nut.

See also: crack, eat, must

in a nut shell

Fig. [of news or information] in a (figurative) capsule; in summary. This cable channel provides the latest news in a nut shell. In a nut shell, what happened at work today?

See also: shell

nut case

Fig. a crazy person; an irrational person. Bob is acting stranger and stranger. He is turning into a real nut case.

See also: case

nut up

Sl. to go crazy. (See also crack up.) I knew I would nut up if I didn't quit that job. I almost nutted up at the last place I worked.

See also: up

talk like a nut

to say stupid things. You're talking like a nut! You don't know what you are saying. Don't talk like a nut! We can't afford a trip to Florida!

See also: like, talk

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a hard/tough nut

someone who is difficult to deal with because they are unpleasant or very determined to get what they want People don't tend to mess with Sue. She's a tough nut.

See also: hard

a hard/tough nut to crack

a difficult problem to solve A company whose product has sold well in the States may find the European market a tougher nut to crack.

See also: crack, hard

be off your nut  (informal)

to be crazy You can't do that! Are you off your nut or what?

do your nut  (British & Australian informal)

to become extremely angry If she has to walk from the station again she'll do her nut.

use a sledgehammer to crack a nut  (British & Australian)

to do something with more force than is necessary to achieve the result you want

Usage notes: A sledgehammer is a large, heavy tool with a wooden handle and a metal head that is used for hitting things.

Sending ten men to arrest one small boy was a clear case of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

See also: crack, use

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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.

See also: tough