Idiom idiom
employ a steam engine to crack a nut
Meaning
To carry out a simple task in an overcomplicated manner.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Anchors to
- 01
all it's cracked up to be
As good as claims or reputation would suggest.
- 02
blow off steam
To vent; to talk or take action (especially in a ranting or unrestrained way) so as to relieve stress.
- 03
bust a nut
To ejaculate.
- 04
crack a crust
To make a living.
- 05
crack a fat
To get an erection of the penis.
- 06
crack a smile
To smile, especially while attempting not to.
- 07
crack down
To take harsh action (against), as when enforcing a law more stringently than before.
- 08
crack of dawn
The first moment of daylight; the instant at which sunrise begins.
Last updated August 10, 2026