thorny challenge

7.4

A difficult problem that needs careful handling

noun

: desafío espinoso

Navigating the new regulations has become a thorny challenge for small business owners.

Examples

It needs partners for trade liberalization, global financial stabilization, environmental protection, deterring transnational organized crime, managing the rise of China, and a host of other thorny challenges.

Academic text (2002)
The committee faced a thorny challenge when trying to reach a consensus on the budget adjustments.
Finding a resolution to the ongoing dispute proved to be a thorny challenge for the negotiators.

Synonyms

problem

vsthorny challenge

∞ 1.2

A situation that causes trouble and needs a solution

is problematic but often calls for careful, cautious handling rather than general solving

challenge

vsthorny challenge

∞ 3.1

A difficult task that tests a person's skill and will

is difficult but usually requires careful, delicate handling rather than testing ability

complication

vsthorny challenge

99 4.1

Something that makes a plan or situation harder to deal with

is the whole problematic situation rather than a single added difficulty

hurdle

vsthorny challenge

88 3.8

An obstacle or problem you must overcome

is a problematic situation often needing careful, cautious handling rather than a single barrier

bind

vsthorny challenge

Informal

68 6.5

A difficult situation that is hard to get out of

is problematic but often requires careful, cautious handling rather than mere escape

quagmire

vsthorny challenge

25 7.9

A difficult situation that is hard to escape or solve

is problematic but highlights need for careful handling more than entrapment

rub

vsthorny challenge

Informal

22 7.7

An unexpected problem that makes a plan or situation more difficult

is a broader problematic situation rather than a single unforeseen obstacle

toughie

vsthorny challenge

Informal

4 7.6

A person, question, or thing that is very difficult to deal with

is a difficult situation but often needs careful, cautious handling rather than brute toughness

tough going

vsthorny challenge

Informal

4 5.3

A situation or task that is hard to do

is difficult but more about careful, delicate handling than sustained effort

snarl

vsthorny challenge

3 7.7

A confused, complicated situation that is hard to understand

is tricky but usually needs careful, delicate handling rather than only untangling

mountain to climb

vsthorny challenge

Informal

1 5.2

A very difficult task that you must overcome

is problematic but emphasizes careful handling rather than sheer size of task

briar-patch

vsthorny challenge

Informal

1 9.1

A difficult situation with many problems that is hard to leave

is a problematic situation but stresses careful handling rather than literal tangling

tough experience

vsthorny challenge

1 3.9

A difficult time that is hard to get through

is a difficult event but focuses on careful handling instead of personal endurance

knotty issue

vsthorny challenge

6.8

A difficult problem that is hard to solve

is difficult but focuses on needing careful, delicate handling rather than only complexity

tuffy

vsthorny challenge

Informal

8.8

A difficult task that needs a lot of effort

is a neutral term that stresses careful, delicate handling rather than casual speech

doozy of a challenge

vsthorny challenge

Informal

9.0

A very difficult task that needs a lot of effort

is difficult but usually implies careful, cautious handling rather than only extreme severity

facer

vsthorny challenge

Archaic

9.9

A sudden problem that is hard to deal with

is problematic but usually requires careful, controlled handling rather than sudden shock

Antonyms

easy

∞ 1.0

Not hard to do, understand, or achieve

How Difficult

crisis

∞ 3.1

thorny challenge

7.4

challenge

∞ 3.1

problem

∞ 1.2

Surface Forms

thorny challenge singular

thorny challenges plural

Morphology

thorny + challenge

The meaning 'a difficult or problematic situation' is directly and predictably derived from combining 'thorny' (metaphorically 'full of difficulties or complications') with 'challenge' (a difficult task). The thorn-as-obstacle metaphor is common across languages and this adjective+noun composition follows normal English patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Thorny challenge comes from the image of a bush full of sharp thorns that will prick your hands if you try to move it, so you must go slowly and be careful. That's why thorny challenge means 'a difficult or problematic situation' that needs careful handling.