nail

another nail in the coffin

an event which causes the failure of something that had already started to fail. I think that argument was the final nail in the coffin of our friendship. (usually + of)

See also: another, coffin

be a bed of nails

if a situation, especially a job, is a bed of nails, it is difficult or unpleasant. He resigned last week, describing the post as a bed of nails.

See also: bed

be as hard as nails

to have no feelings or sympathy for other people. She'll be good in business - she's as hard as nails.

See also: hard

fight tooth and claw/nail

to fight very hard to achieve something. We fought tooth and nail to retain our share of the business. (often + to do something)

See also: claw, fight, tooth

hit the nail on the head

to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem. I think Mick hit the nail on the head when he said that what's lacking in this company is a feeling of confidence.

See also: head, hit

nail your colours to the mast

to publicly state your opinions about a subject. Nobody knows which way he's going to vote because he has so far refused to nail his colours to the mast.

See also: colour, mast

nail someone to the wall (informal)

to punish or hurt someone severely because you are very angry with them. I didn't care about why they did it, I just wanted to nail the guys that robbed me to the wall.

See also: wall

nail-biting

a nail-biting event or period of time makes you feel very nervous, usually because you are waiting for something important to happen. The teams were very evenly matched and played a close game right up to the nail-biting finish. (always before noun)

on the nail (British & Australian)

if you pay an amount of money on the nail, you pay all of it immediately. He always paid cash, on the nail.

spit nails (American & Australian, informal, Australian, informal)

to speak or behave in a way that shows you are very angry. He was spitting nails when he saw what had happened to his car.

See also: spit

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fight (someone/something) tooth and nail

to use a lot of effort to oppose someone or achieve something. We fought tooth and nail to keep our share of the business. They vowed to fight the new legislation tooth and nail.

See also: fight, tooth

hit the nail on the head

to be right about something. Mike hit the nail on the head when he said most people can use a computer without knowing how it works.

See also: head, hit

nail something down

to make something certain or final. My uncle has been meeting people all over the state to nail down support for his senate campaign.

See also: down

(a) nail in the coffin of something

an action that will cause something to end. This report on the effects of smoking is another nail in the coffin of the tobacco industry. We thought the firings would put the final nail in the union's coffin, but in fact, the union has grown in size and importance.

See also: coffin

nail someone to the wall

to punish or hurt someone severely. I was so angry, I just wanted to nail the crooks to the wall.

See also: wall

(as) tough as nails

strong and determined. She is a warm and friendly person, but she is also as tough as nails.

See also: tough