nail on the head

Meaning

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   Part of the idiom hit the nail on the head, meaning to say or do exactly the right thing, or to describe a problem with perfect accuracy.

   Grammar: Usually appears as hit the nail on the head, with hit changing for tense.

   Patterns

   • hit the nail on the head
   • hit the nail right on the head

   You hit the nail on the head when you said we need more time.

   Her description of the problem hit the nail on the head.

   He hit the nail on the head: the real issue was trust.

Common combinations

hit the nail on the head

She hit the nail on the head with that comment.

hit the nail right on the head

You hit the nail right on the head.

hits the nail on the head

That article hits the nail on the head.

really hit the nail on the head

The speaker really hit the nail on the head.

hit the nail on the head about

You hit the nail on the head about the cost.

Synonyms and how they differ

spot on

Spot on is a British informal phrase meaning exactly correct and is used about a statement, while hit the nail on the head praises the speaker.

exactly right

Exactly right is plain and neutral, with none of the picture of the idiom.

get it right

Get it right just means to be correct and does not suggest insight.

Opposites

Word family

nail noun

a metal pin hammered into wood

nail verb

to fasten with a nail, or to get exactly right

head noun

the top of the nail or a body part

Commonly confused: nail on the head or hit the spot?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “nail on the head”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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