a thorny issue — awkward or difficult problem
collocationC1IELTS 7+neutraloccasional
a problem or subject that is complicated, sensitive, or likely to cause disagreement, making it hard to deal with or resolve.
Say it like a native
Textbook This is a particularly delicate and contentious matter to resolve.
Native It's a thorny issue.
'Delicate and contentious matter' is formal; 'a thorny issue' carries it in two words.
Pattern: a thorny issue (for someone/to do something)
In use
- Deciding how to balance privacy and security is a thorny issue for many governments.society
- One thorny issue in modern education is how to ensure equal opportunities for students from different backgrounds.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ It's a thorny issue to deal.
✓ It's a thorny issue to deal with.
You 'deal WITH an issue' — don't drop 'with'.
Common collocations
a thorny issue— a particularly, tackle, remains, such
Don't confuse it
Unlike 'a difficult issue', 'a thorny issue' emphasizes that the problem is not only challenging but also sensitive or likely to provoke strong opinions.