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nail down - 3 dictionary results

nail

  [neyl]
Use nail down in a Sentence
–noun
1. a slender, typically rod-shaped rigid piece of metal, usually in any of numerous standard lengths from a fraction of an inch to several inches and having one end pointed and the other enlarged and flattened, for hammering into or through wood, other building materials, etc., as used in building, in fastening, or in holding separate pieces together.
2. a thin, horny plate, consisting of modified epidermis, growing on the upper side of the end of a finger or toe.
3. a former measure of length for cloth, equal to 2 1/4 in. (6.4 cm).
–verb (used with object)
4. to fasten with a nail or nails: to nail the cover on a box.
5. to enclose or confine (something) by nailing (often fol. by up): to nail up oranges in a crate.
6. to make fast or keep firmly in one place or position: Surprise nailed him to the spot.
7. to accomplish perfectly: the only gymnast to nail the dismount.
8. Informal.
a. to secure by prompt action; catch or seize: The police nailed him with the goods.
b. to catch (a person) in some difficulty, lie, etc.
c. to detect and expose (a lie, scandal, etc.).
9. Slang. to hit (a person): He nailed him on the chin with an uppercut in the first round.
10. to focus intently on an object or subject: She kept her eyes nailed on the suspicious customer.
11. Obsolete. to stud with or as if with nails.
—Verb phrase
12. nail down, to make final; settle once and for all: Signing the contract will nail down our agreement.
—Idioms
13. hit the nail on the head, to say or do exactly the right thing; be accurate or correct: Your analysis really hit the nail on the head.
14. nail in someone's or something's coffin, something that hastens the demise or failure of a person or thing: Every moment's delay is another nail in his coffin.
15. on the nail, Informal.
a. of present interest; under discussion.
b. without delay; on the spot; at once: He was offered a job on the nail.
Origin:
bef. 900; (n.) ME nail(l), nayl(l), OE nægl, c. OFris neil, OS, OHG nagal, D nagel, G Nagel, ON nagl fingernail, all < Gmc *naglaz; akin as deriv. to Lith nãgas, nagà hoof, OPruss nage foot, OCS noga leg, foot (Serbo-Croatian nòga, Czech noha, Russ nogá; prob. orig. jocular reference to the foot as a hoof), OCS nogŭtĭ, Tocharian A maku, B mekwa fingernail, claw, all < North European IE *Honogwh-; further akin to OIr ingen, Welsh ewin, Breton ivin < Celtic *ṇgwhīnā, L unguis < Italo-Celtic *Hongwhi-; Gk ónyx, s. onych-, Armenian ełungn < *Honogwh-; (v.) ME nail(l)(e), nayl(l)e(n), OE næglian, c. OS neglian, OHG negilen, ON negla < Gmc *nagl-janan; cf. Goth ganagljan

Related forms:
nailless, adjective
naillike, adjective

Synonyms:
5. fix, secure, pin, fasten.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To nail down
nail   (nāl)   


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n.  
  1. A slim, pointed piece of metal hammered into material as a fastener.
    1. A fingernail or toenail.
    2. A claw or talon.
  3. Something resembling a nail in shape, sharpness, or use.
  4. A measure of length formerly used for cloth, equal to 1/16 yard (5.7 centimeters).
tr.v.   nailed, nail·ing, nails
  1. To fasten, join, or attach with or as if with a nail.
  2. To cover, enclose, or shut by fastening with nails: nail up a window.
  3. To keep fixed, motionless, or intent: Fear nailed me to my seat.
  4. Slang
    1. To stop and seize; catch: Police nailed the suspect.
    2. To detect and expose: nailed the senator in a lie; nail corruption before it gets out of control.
    3. To strike or bring down: nail a bird in flight; nail a running back.
    4. To perform successfully or have noteworthy success in: nailed the dive; nailed the exam.
  5. Slang
    1. To strike or bring down: nail a bird in flight; nail a running back.
    2. To perform successfully or have noteworthy success in: nailed the dive; nailed the exam.
  6. Baseball To put out (a base runner).
Phrasal Verb(s):
nail down
  1. To discover or establish conclusively: nailed down the story by checking all the facts.
  2. To win: nailed down another victory in the golf tournament.
  3. To specify or fix: We were finally able to nail down a meeting time.

[Middle English, from Old English nægl, fingernail, toenail; see nogh- in Indo-European roots.]
nail'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

nail down

Establish conclusively, as in The reporter nailed down the story by checking all the facts. This metaphoric expression alludes to fixing or fastening something down with nails. [c. 1600]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
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