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• Substantivo com vários significados: peça fina e pontiaguda de metal usada para fixar materiais em construção; camada dura e protetora na ponta dos dedos das mãos ou dos pés; ou antiga unidade de medida para tecidos.

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.

   Unha

   • 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.

   Prego

   • 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.

   Sinônimosbradpinspiketack

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).

   Unidade histórica de comprimento

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

• Verbo usado para indicar a ação de fixar algo com prego, ou (informalmente) realizar uma tarefa perfeitamente ou com sucesso.

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.

   Prender com prego

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

   Sinônimosaffixattachfastenfixhammerpinsecuretack

   Antônimosdetachremoveunfasten

2. Arrest or captureB2informal

   To take someone into custody, typically by police.

   Prender

   • 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.

   Sinônimosapprehendarrestbustcapturecatchcollarnabpinchseize

3. Hit hardB1informal

   To strike something or someone with force.

   Bater com força

   • 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.

   Sinônimosbashbeltclobberhitpunchsmashsockstrikethumpwhack

4. Secure a positionB2informal

   To successfully obtain a job, role, or opportunity.

   Conseguir

   • 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.

   Sinônimosbagclinchgetlandobtainsecurewin

5. Perform perfectlyB1informal

   To accomplish something with great skill or ease.

   Fazer perfeitamente

   • 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.

   Sinônimosacebring offcarry offmasterpull offsucceed

   Antônimosbotchbunglefailflubfumble

6. Identify preciselyB2informal

   To locate or determine something exactly.

   Identificar com precisão

   • 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.

   Sinônimosascertaindeterminediagnoseidentifylocatepin downpinpoint

7. Complete a passB2informal

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

   Completar um 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.

   Sinônimoscompleteconnectdeliverhitthread

Variantes phrasalnail down