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There’s the rub

There’s the problem

TRANSLATION

There’s the rub = hier liegt das Problem, darin liegt die Schwierigkeit, das ist der Haken an der Sache, da liegt der Hase im Pfeffer, da liegt der Hund begraben,

STATISTICS

IN THE PRESS

"And THERE'S THE RUB. Covid-19 demands an array of drastic, immediate responses. It also requires thinking that looks beyond the next two weeks."

The Economist - Briefing on 20th March 2020

Did you
know?

there(in) lies the rub
colloquial phrase

- something that causes a difficulty or problem

Merriam-Webster


ORIGIN

This phrase was famously used in Shakespeare’s Hamlet and is now seen in many different variations, including: there(in) lies the rub, there’s the rub, that’s the rub…

“To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream
ay, there’s the rub
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there’s the respect
That makes calamity of so long life.”


SYNONYMS

THERE’S THE RUB, most important, main issue/question/difficulty, crux of the matter, key concern, essence, quintessence, bones/heart of the matter, heart and soul, centre-piece, meat and potatoes, long and the short, essential/focal point, cornerstone, sum and substance, sine qua non, numero uno, motivating force, salient point, name of the game, nature of the beast, be-all and end-all


PRACTICE OWAD in an English conversation, say something like:

“Jim will be working for our competitor - but HERE’S THE RUB - he hasn't signed an NDA.”


HERZLICHEN DANK to all readers helping me keep OWAD alive with single or monthly donations at:

https://donorbox.org/please-become-a-friend-of-owad-3

Paul Smith

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