nail

• Nom avec plusieurs sens : fine tige métallique pointue utilisée en construction pour fixer ; plaque dure protégeant l'extrémité des doigts ou des orteils ; ou ancienne unité de longueur pour le tissu.

A noun with multiple meanings: a thin, pointed metal fastener used in construction; the hard, protective covering at the tip of a finger or toe; or a historical unit of length for cloth.

1. Fingernail or toenailA1formal

   The hard, protective covering at the tip of a finger or toe.

   ongle (de doigt ou d'orteil)

   • She painted her nails bright red.
   • He bit his nails when he was nervous.
   • The manicurist carefully filed her nails.

2. Metal fastenerA2formal

   A thin, pointed piece of metal with a flat head, used to join pieces of wood or other materials.

   Clou

   • He hammered a nail into the wall to hang the picture.
   • The carpenter used a box of nails to build the shelf.
   • She pulled out the old nail with a claw hammer.

   Synonymesbradpinspiketack

3. Historical unit of lengthC2formalbritish

   An old unit of length used for measuring cloth, equal to 1/16 of a yard (about 5.7 cm).

   Nail (unité de mesure ancienne)

   • The tailor measured the fabric in nails.
   • A yard of cloth was divided into sixteen nails.
   • The merchant sold the silk by the nail.

• Verbe signifiant fixer quelque chose avec un clou, ou (de manière informelle) accomplir une tâche parfaitement ou avec succès.

A verb used to indicate the act of fastening something with a nail, or (informally) to perform a task perfectly or successfully.

1. Attach with nailsA2formal

   To fasten something to a surface using a nail.

   clouer

   • He nailed the shelf to the wall.
   • She nailed the sign above the door.
   • They nailed the boards together to build a crate.

   Synonymesaffixattachfastenfixhammerpinsecuretack

   Antonymesdetachremoveunfasten

2. Arrest or captureB2informal

   To take someone into custody, typically by police.

   arrêter, appréhender

   • The police nailed the suspect after a short chase.
   • They finally nailed the thief with the stolen goods.
   • The detective nailed the criminal for the robbery.

   Synonymesapprehendarrestbustcapturecatchcollarnabpinchseize

3. Hit hardB1informal

   To strike something or someone with force.

   frapper violemment

   • He nailed the ball right over the fence.
   • She nailed the opponent with a powerful punch.
   • The hammer nailed the nail into the wood with one blow.

   Synonymesbashbeltclobberhitpunchsmashsockstrikethumpwhack

4. Secure a positionB2informal

   To successfully obtain a job, role, or opportunity.

   Décrocher (un poste)

   • She nailed the job interview and got the position.
   • He nailed a spot on the team after a great tryout.
   • They nailed the contract after weeks of negotiation.

   Synonymesbagclinchgetlandobtainsecurewin

5. Perform perfectlyB1informal

   To accomplish something with great skill or ease.

   réussir parfaitement

   • She nailed the dance routine on her first try.
   • He nailed the exam and got the highest score.
   • They nailed the presentation and impressed everyone.

   Synonymesacebring offcarry offmasterpull offsucceed

   Antonymesbotchbunglefailflubfumble

6. Identify preciselyB2informal

   To locate or determine something exactly.

   identifier précisément

   • The detective nailed the exact location of the hideout.
   • She nailed the source of the problem in minutes.
   • He nailed the answer to the riddle immediately.

   Synonymesascertaindeterminediagnoseidentifylocatepin downpinpoint

7. Complete a passB2informal

   In sports, to successfully throw the ball to a teammate.

   Réussir une passe

   • The quarterback nailed the pass to the wide receiver.
   • She nailed the pass across the field to her teammate.
   • He nailed the pass for a touchdown.

   Synonymescompleteconnectdeliverhitthread

Variantes phrasalnail down