a head-scratcher

a head-scratcher

A thoroughly complex or difficult mystery, problem, puzzle, or riddle. I'm not sure how we'll be able to reach an agreement with the labor unions on this issue. It's a head-scratcher, to be sure. A: "What is weightless but can be seen, and if you put it in a bucket, it will make the bucket lighter?" B: "Hmm, I don't know. That's a real head-scratcher!"
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • teaser
  • inside
  • brain-twister
  • brain-teaser
  • 800-pound gorilla
  • LB
  • gorilla
  • don't bring a knife to a gunfight
  • puzzle
  • Chinese puzzle
References in periodicals archive
It was a head-scratcher. While Ayer did focus on the enduring reason why young men avoid the priesthood--celibacy--it did that from the perspective of...
IN ADWEEK HISTORY MAY 1987
While the moderation in EBITDA growth guidance is understandable in the context of trade and global growth concerns, the free cash guidance of $650M "was a head-scratcher," Mehrotra tells investors in a research note.
Deutsche calls XPO cash flow guidance ' head-scratcher,' cuts target to $108
He told a bemused press conference: "When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea." It's still a head-scratcher, long after the ship has sailed...
See any seagulls then Eric?
Alas, this NBC series by way of France doesn't make that turn, leaving behind a head-scratcher of a show, derived from a last-century French movie written by Luc Besson ("Taxi"), and casting "Grey's Anatomy" alum Chyler Leigh as the latest in a long line of unconvincing hardbitten smallscreen detectives.
Taxi Brooklyn
"It's always a head-scratcher each year to think of somewhere that will have a great backdrop to film this crucial stage against.
X Factor 2013: Nicole Scherzinger to Rack up Airmiles as Judges' Houses Revealed
A bit of a head-scratcher, it''ll certainly form the basis of many a debate long after the end credits roll.
Lunacy (Channel 4, 1.05am)
It was a head-scratcher that haunts us to this day.
Fixing a hole
The combination seems like a head-scratcher at first: a cherished, classic ballet movie; a genial, old-school tap master; and a hit-machine soul band from the '70s.
On Broadway: Maurice Hines melds hip hop, jazz, Latin and even a little tap in his Broadway directoral debut, Hot Feet
FINNERAN/COUNTERPOINT: "I'm not challenging the validity of that [the point that the longer students are in school the worse they do] but it's a head-scratcher," Finneran responds.
Universal Early Education point/counterpoint: is early childhood education outright dangerous or the pivotal path to educational glory? Two experts debate
Henlow is best given the widest of berths, and Nottingham's five opens have a definite feeling of card-padding, although the closing 10pm over 500m is a bit of a head-scratcher.
Open Check: Take Ted to shine on a very dull night
While data seems relatively in line with standard of care, data is also consistent with management's previously-articulated definition of success, Raymond tells investors in a research note titled "Rova-T Setback a Head-Scratcher to Us." The analyst adds, however, that he does not model for Rova-T, therefore the news does not impact his valuation.
Piper calls AbbVie news today 'head scratcher,' keeps Overweight rating