- 1nail something (+ adv./prep./adj.) to fasten something to something with a nail or nails I nailed the sign to a tree. Wooden boards had been nailed across the windows. The shutters had been nailed shut.
- 2nail somebody (informal) to catch someone and prove they are guilty of a crime or of doing something bad The police haven't been able to nail the killer.
- 3nail something (informal) to tell the truth about something and prove that it is illegal, false, etc. We must nail this lie.
- 4nail something (informal) to achieve something or do something right, especially in sports He nailed a victory in the semifinals. Phrasal Verbsnail downnail up
nail
verbNAmE//neɪl//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they nail he / she / it nails
past simple nailed
-ing form nailing
Check pronunciation: nail