nail (someone) down (on something)
nail (someone) down (on something)
To establish or determine some specific details or information (about something) with someone. I'd like to nail them down on the dates so I can start looking at ticket prices for flights. Has anyone been able to nail the janitor down on the cause of the electrical failures?
See also: down, nail
nail down
1. Literally, to use nails as a means of securing something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "nail" and "down." Remember to nail the tarp down, or it will get blown away when the storm hits! I've been meaning to nail down this loose step before someone falls over it.
2. To establish or determine something with specificity. A noun or pronoun can be used between "nail" and "down." I'd like to nail down the dates we want to fly so I can start looking at ticket prices. I think we've nailed down the cause of the electrical failures. It seems like you're struggling to nail down what your essay is really trying to say.
3. To force someone to give a firm or unambiguous commitment (about or to do something). A noun or pronoun can be used between "nail" and "down." I've been trying to nail down the boss on when we could expect the bonuses to be paid out. The reporter kept trying to nail her down, but the senator refused to clarify her position on the issue.
4. To catch or apprehend someone, especially a criminal. A noun or pronoun can be used between "nail" and "down." Police have been trying to nail down the killer for weeks. We've finally got enough hard evidence to nail this scumbag down for good!
See also: down, nail
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
nail someone down
(on something) Go to pin someone down (on something).
See also: down, nail
nail something down
1. to secure something down by nailing it. Please nail the floorboard down or someone will trip over it. I'll nail down these floorboards.
2. Go to pin something down.
See also: down, nail
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
nail down
Establish conclusively, as in The reporter nailed down the story by checking all the facts. This metaphoric expression alludes to fixing or fastening something down with nails. [c. 1600]
See also: down, nail
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
nail down
v.
1. To secure something or make it unable to move by driving nails through it and into another object: On the passenger ship, the workers nailed the tables down so that they wouldn't slide around during the storm. We examined the deck and nailed down all loose boards.
2. To specify or fix something: After months of evading the question, the candidate finally nailed down her position on the war. We can't release the schedule until we've nailed it down.
3. To discover or establish something conclusively: The reporter nailed down the story by checking all the facts. We looked for the source of the problem but couldn't nail it down.
4. To win something decisively: She nailed down her sixth win of the season with a birdie on the 18th hole. We nailed the top spot down by defeating the two best teams in the league.
See also: down, nail
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- nail down
- right on the nail
- nail a lie
- nail a/the lie
- nail on
- nail in
- hit the nail on the head, to
- by itself
- coffin nail
- hit the nail on the head