Nail Meaning
Nail Definition & Usage
A thin pointed metal pin used in construction, carpentry, or fastening materials together.
Examples
- "I need a hammer to drive this nail into the wall."
- "The carpenter used a few nails to attach the shelf to the wall."
- "The nail bent under the pressure, so we had to remove it."
- "He carefully placed each nail to make sure the frame stayed together."
- "She tapped the nail into the board with a steady hand."
The hard, flat surface at the tip of a finger or toe, made of keratin.
Examples
- "She painted her nails a bright red color."
- "He had long nails that were meticulously groomed."
- "The man broke his nail while opening the box."
- "I accidentally scratched my skin with my nail."
- "She had a habit of biting her nails when nervous."
To fasten or fix something with a nail or nails.
Examples
- "We nailed the pieces of wood together to build the frame."
- "Make sure you nail the poster to the wall securely."
- "He nailed down the loose boards on the deck."
- "I nailed the decorations to the door for the party."
- "She nailed the final piece of the puzzle into place."
To perform an action or task perfectly or to succeed in a challenge.
Examples
- "She nailed the presentation and impressed the board."
- "He nailed the perfect shot during the game."
- "You really nailed that recipe—it's delicious!"
- "I think I nailed the interview, I felt really confident."
- "They nailed the opening night of the play with a fantastic performance."
Cultural Context
Nails have been used by humans for millennia in both construction and personal grooming. Historically, nails were made by blacksmiths from iron or bronze, and in ancient times, their use was essential for the construction of ships, buildings, and tools.
Nailing It Together
Story
Nailing It Together
It was a rainy afternoon, and James was fixing up an old bookshelf in his living room. The wooden planks had warped over time, and some nails had popped loose. He was determined to restore it, despite the challenge. Holding a small finishing nail between his fingers, he lined it up with the wood. 'I can do this,' he murmured, taking a steady breath as he swung the hammer. The nail went in with a satisfying 'thunk,' and the board stayed in place. His sister Sarah, always the perfectionist, looked over and smiled. 'You nailed it,' she said, a nod of approval. James grinned, wiping his brow. They had both used to play basketball together, and the phrase had always been one of their inside jokes. The tension in the room lightened. Later, Sarah sat down on the couch, biting her nails nervously as they watched a movie. 'I’m so nervous for tomorrow’s presentation,' she admitted. 'What if I mess it up?' James, who had learned the art of fixing things from their father, looked over at her and offered a reassuring smile. 'You’ve got this. You’ve nailed every presentation so far. Just focus, and it’ll go perfectly.' The rain tapped gently against the window as the siblings shared a quiet moment of encouragement. Sarah felt a little better. Maybe, just maybe, she could nail it too. The next day, Sarah did exactly that. She nailed her presentation, impressing the whole team. Later that evening, as they celebrated, James raised his glass. 'Here’s to nailing everything—whether it’s fixing old bookshelves or big presentations.'
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