Crack a problem

[nyggus]

Hi. Actually, I am not sure whether indeed it is an idiom, but it likely is an idiomatic expression. "To crack a problem"--this is what I want to ask about. Of course, I fell what it may mean, but there are a couple of slightly different meanings that I can figure. So, what does it mean?

Thanks,
Nyggus

[curmudgeon]

Tell me what you think it means

[BobK]

I won't answer your question, because curmudgeon's waiting for you to.

But I'll just add that there's an informal idiom - 'to crack it', used between people who know what 'the problem' is, and who therefore know that it refers to the problem.

So 'crack it' = 'crack the problem' (or decipher a code or guess a password). But we still don't know what 'crack the problem' means. Nyggus?

[curmudgeon]

Nyggus is offline so I guess we'll have to wait, or perhaps you can carry on Bob? I was just interested in the 'couple of different meanings'.

[nyggus]

Hi, Curmudgeon and BobK. I see I might have drop a brick. Well, the meanings I could imagine are those I did find in Polish-English and German-English dictionaries and those I could imagine myself. First, it may mean "to try to solve a problem." Second, "to solve a problem." Today, actually, I think these two represent what I called "a couple of slightly different meanings that I can figure," though it is interesting what I was thinking of yesterday... But it may also mean "to solve a problem with difficulties" or "to solve a problem bit by bit" or something like that...

Best,
Nyggus

[Tdol]

Hmmm 'to have a crack at' is to try do something, so I wouldn't agree with the first meaning.

[RonBee]

There is an American expression take a crack at it. If a person is going to try to solve a problem he might say, "I'll take a crack at it."

~R

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by nyggus

Hi. Actually, I am not sure whether indeed it is an idiom, but it likely is an idiomatic expression. "To crack a problem"--this is what I want to ask about. Of course, I fell what it may mean, but there are a couple of slightly different meanings that I can figure. So, what does it mean?

Thanks,
Nyggus

It isn't an idiom; it isn't even a common collocation. Tha does not mean it is incorrect, however. "Crack" has many meanings.

crack (krăk)

v.tr.

1. To cause to make a sharp snapping sound.
2. To cause to break without complete separation of parts: cracked the glass.
3. 1. To break with a sharp snapping sound. See synonyms at break.
   2. To crush (corn or wheat, for example) into small pieces.
4. To open to a slight extent: cracked the window to let in some air.
5. To strike with a sudden sharp sound.
6. Informal.
   1. To break open or into: crack a safe.
   2. To open up for use or consumption: crack a book; cracked a beer.
   3. To break through (an obstacle) in order to win acceptance or acknowledgement: finally cracked the “men-only” rule at the club.
7. To discover the solution to, especially after considerable effort: crack a code.
8. To cause (the voice) to crack.
9. Informal. To tell (a joke), especially on impulse or in an effective manner.
10. To cause to have a mental or physical breakdown.
11. To impair or destroy: Their rude remarks cracked his equanimity.
12. To reduce (petroleum) to simpler compounds by cracking.

[Mordant]

We have a phrase in Northern England 'that's cracked it' and it is used similarly to the phrase 'that's opened a can of worms', sit back and expect the consequences.

[Tdol]

That's interesting- I would interpret it as having solved it not made things worse. (Not a Northerner)