on the nose

Idioms  

1. Exactly, precisely; especially, at the appointed time or estimated amount. For example, The busload of students arrived at the museum at ten o'clock right on the nose, or He guessed the final score on the nose. This term, like on the button, may come from boxing, where the opponent's nose is a highly desired target. [c. 1930]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

on the nose

There are metaphors, and there are metaphors, but this one is just too on the nose.

From Salon ● Oct. 24, 2026

Most on the nose was 2013’s Elysium, in which healthcare is sporadic on a post-collapse Earth.

From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026

Bild said the plane landed safely at Hanover airport, where minor damage was discovered on the nose section.

From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026

Bottle bio: This 100% Glera bottling from Italy’s prestigious Veneto region showcases apple and white fruit on the nose.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026

“Sorry, Joe. But this is a limited-edition mask. See? It’s got purple ooze on the nose instead of just green ooze.”

From "A Monster of a Mystery (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #5)" by Franklin W. Dixon

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