Nail (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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noun
  1. a slender, typically rod-shaped rigid piece of metal, usually in any of numerous standard lengths from a fraction of an inch to several inches and having one end pointed and the other enlarged and flattened, for hammering into or through wood, other building materials, etc., as used in building, in fastening, or in holding separate pieces together.
  2. a thin, horny plate, consisting of modified epidermis, growing on the upper side of the end of a finger or toe.
  3. a former measure of length for cloth, equal to 2.25 inches (5.7 centimeters).
verb (used with object)
  1. to fasten with a nail or nails: to nail the cover on a box.
  2. to enclose or confine (something) by nailing (often followed by up): to nail up oranges in a crate.
  3. to make fast or keep firmly in one place or position: Surprise nailed him to the spot.
  4. to accomplish perfectly: the only gymnast to nail the dismount.
  5. Informal.
    • to secure by prompt action; catch or seize: The police nailed him with the goods.
    • to catch (a person) in some difficulty, lie, etc.
    • to detect and expose (a lie, scandal, etc.).
  6. to hit (a person): He nailed him on the chin with an uppercut in the first round.
  7. to focus intently on an object or subject: She kept her eyes nailed on the suspicious customer.
  8. to stud with or as if with nails.
Verb Phrases
  1. to make final; settle once and for all: Signing the contract will nail down our agreement.
Idioms
  1. to say or do exactly the right thing; be accurate or correct: Your analysis really hit the nail on the head.
  2. something that hastens the demise or failure of a person or thing: Every moment's delay is another nail in his coffin.
  3. on the nail, Informal.
    • of present interest; under discussion.
    • without delay; on the spot; at once: He was offered a job on the nail.
noun
  1. a fastening device usually made from round or oval wire, having a point at one end and a head at the other
  2. anything resembling such a fastening device, esp in function or shape
  3. the horny plate covering part of the dorsal surface of the fingers or toes
  4. the claw of a mammal, bird, or reptile
  5. a hypodermic needle, used for injecting drugs
  6. a unit of length, formerly used for measuring cloth, equal to two and a quarter inches
  7. an experience or event that tends to shorten life or hasten the end of something
  8. bite one's nails
    • to chew off the ends of one's fingernails
    • to be worried or apprehensive
  9. hard as nails
    • in tough physical condition
    • without sentiment or feelings
  10. to do or say something correct or telling
  11. (of payments) at once (esp in the phrase pay on the nail)
verb (tr)
  1. to attach with or as if with nails
  2. to arrest or seize
  3. to hit or bring down, as with a shot
  4. to expose or detect (a lie or liar)
  5. to fix or focus (one's eyes, attention, etc) on an object
  6. to stud with nails
Nail (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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