dilemma vs hard nut to crack

dilemma

noun
  • A difficult circumstance or problem. 

  • A type of syllogism of the form "if A is true then B is true; if C is true then D is true; either A or C is true; therefore either B or D is true". 

  • A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable. 

  • Offering to an opponent a choice between two (equally unfavorable) alternatives. 

hard nut to crack

noun
  • A problem that is challenging to solve. 

  • Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see hard, nut, crack. 

  • A situation, person, group, etc. which is difficult to overcome or deal with. 

  • A place, opportunity, etc. to which it is difficult to gain entry. 

  • An amount that is difficult to finance. 

How often have the words dilemma and hard nut to crack occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )