Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
a-sledgehammer-to-crack-a-nut
idiom
/ə ˈslɛdʒˌhæmɚ tə kræk ə nʌt/
Definition
Using excessive force or effort to accomplish a simple task.
Examples
- Using three more people to handle a simple phone call is like bringing a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
- Investing in a complicated strategy to solve a basic problem feels like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
Meaning
The phrase metaphorically suggests that someone is applying an unnecessarily heavy-handed approach to a situation that requires a more delicate or minimal solution.
Synonyms
- overkill
- excessive measures
- ham-fisted approach
- using a blunt instrument
