nail

Pluralnails

Formsnails, nailing, nailed

1. 1
   nouncountable

   The hard covering at the end of a finger or toe, including an animal's claw.

   She painted each nail bright red before the party.

   He cut his nails before the school photo.

   UsageSay cut your nails or paint your nails.

2. 2
   metal pinnouncountable

   A thin piece of metal with a sharp point, hammered into wood to hold pieces together.

   He hammered a nail into the wall to hang the picture.

   She bought a box of nails at the hardware store.

   UsageSay hammer a nail into the wall.

3. 3
   do perfectlyverbslangtransitive

   To do something very well, with no mistakes.

   She nailed her speech in front of the whole class.

   You'll nail the test if you study tonight.

   UsagePeople say you nailed it! for a great job.

   Similarace

   Oppositebotch, flub, blow, fluff

   Note
4. 4
   verbtransitive

   To hammer nails into something, usually to fix one thing to another.

   Dad nailed the loose board back onto the fence.

   We can nail the sign to the post.

   UsageSay nail the sign to the post.

5. 5
   make finalverbtransitive

   To make a plan or detail certain and final. Always used with down.

   Let's nail down the date for the party before everyone leaves.

   They finally nailed down the details of the trip.

   UsageSay nail down the date.

   Similarclinch, fix

6. 6
   catchverbslangtransitive

   To catch someone, often when they are doing something wrong.

   The teacher nailed him copying answers during the test.

   Police will nail anyone who speeds past the school.

   UsageSay police nailed him for speeding.

   Similarcatch, capture, seize, arrest, grab

   Note
7. 7
   hit a targetverbslangtransitive

   To hit someone or something hard and exactly, for example with a shot, a punch or a ball.

   The archer nailed the center of the target on her first shot.

   In the video game, you can nail the moving targets for extra points.

   Similarhit, strike, down

   Oppositemiss

   Note

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