on the nail
Idioms-
Immediately, without delay, as in He paid us back on the nail . [c. 1600]
-
Under discussion or consideration, as in The subject of the budget deficit has been on the nail for some time . [Late 1800s] The precise allusion in these expressions has been lost. Neither has any connection to hit the nail on the head (see under hit the bull's-eye ).
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.
It’s well-known that when the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail; the relationship eventually takes its toll on the nail, too.
From Slate • Dec. 19, 2024
Ohtani had a small crack on the nail of his middle finger heading into his start against the Chicago White Sox on June 27.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2023
“As soon as you impale that apple on the nail, decay begins,” Viancour says.
From Washington Post • Dec. 19, 2017
A few days after the fund-raiser, Mr. Kim stood on the dais at the bill signing, thanking the governor for letting him take the lead on the nail salon law.
From New York Times • Nov. 8, 2015
Eric lifts the board above his head and hangs it on the nail.
From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
