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nailed-on

British

adjective

slang certain, definite; guaranteed to be successful

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Wolves match feels like a nailed-on clean sheet and, given their current defensive form, you're hoping they can keep Thiago and Brentford at bay too.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

While there has been much speculation in recent weeks as to who would receive a pick, players like Lowry, Rahm, Aberg and Hovland looked nailed-on for selection.

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2025

Six nailed-on frontliners gone and yet they still won the last half-hour 10-3 and the match 32-19.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2023

So this isn’t a nailed-on 4-0 away win to which City cruise after a couple of minor early scares.

From The Guardian • Oct. 19, 2021

With anxiety levels so high, wearing nailed-on modern classics such as slipdresses and bucket hats alleviates the stress of trying to fit into a trend or wear the right thing.

From The Guardian • Jun. 17, 2020

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023