English Idiom – Hit the nail on the head.
Meaning – To be exactly right about something. Find exactly the right answer. If you hit the nail on the head you are accurate about a situation.
- This idiom originates from woodworking. If you want to hammer a nail into something accurately you need to ensure the hammer hits the head of the nail squarely.
- This phrase can also be shortened to “nail on head”. Or “Nail. On. Head.” if you want to emphasize the accuracy while writing.
The idiom on the nose can also be used to express being exactly right about something.
Usage:
When could you use this idiom?
- You guess a large number exactly.
- A person is able to accurately describe a situation.
- Somebody is explaining a situation correctly.
- A new friend correctly guesses your age!
Example:
- “We haven’t been able to figure out how to solve the housing issues for a long time. The politician last night hit the nail on the head – we need to go back to square one to find a solution.”
In The News:
Discuss:
- Is there an idiom like this in your country?
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a word or phrase that is not taken literally. An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words, but has a separate meaning of its own.
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