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
But it felt a little too hammer on the nail.
From New York Times • Sep. 16, 2022
“He covers so much space on the nail stunting for guys, getting hands contested, getting those long 50-50 balls,” Wizards forward Jared Dudley said of Porter.
From Washington Post • Nov. 16, 2015
Instead he chews on the nail of his left forefinger, a sure sign that he’s worried.
From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins
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.
