nail

The hard, flat part at the end of a finger or toe.

• I broke a nail.
• She paints her nails every weekend.
• Have you cut your nails?

Common phrases: nail polish, nail clippers, a broken nail, a long nail

A small, pointed piece of metal you hammer into wood to hold things together.

• I need a nail for this board.
• He hammered three nails into the wood.
• A rusty nail caught my sleeve.

Common phrases: a rusty nail, hammer a nail, a loose nail, a metal nail

To do something very well and successfully.

• I nailed the test.
• She practiced until she could nail the dance routine.
• Do you think he nailed his interview?

Similar words: ace

Opposites: fail

Common phrases: nail an interview, nail a performance, nail the landing

To attach something using pointed metal pieces that you hit with a hammer.

• Nail these boards together.
• He nailed the box shut.
• We nailed a wooden shelf to the wall.

How to use it: nail something to something (They nailed a sign to the fence.)

Common phrases: nail something down, nail something shut, nail something together

To find or express exactly the right answer or explanation.

• You nailed the answer.
• She nailed the reason for his strange behavior.
• His description really nails what makes the place special.

Similar words: get right, pinpoint

Common phrases: nail the answer, nail the explanation, nail it