Collocations for "nail"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "nail" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
nail
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.n
- [hammer, pound] in a nail
- [hammer] a nail into the [wall, board]
- remove a nail
- cut [himself, her leg] on the nail
- [ripped, tore] her [shirt, pants] on the nail
- got his [shirt] caught on the nail
- caught his [shirt] on the nail
- a [bent, rusty] nail
- idiom: that's the nail in the coffin!
- idiom: was the last nail in the coffin
- idiom: hit the nail on the head!
- idiom: hit the nail on the head with that [one, answer]!
- think I broke a nail
- stop biting your nails!
- [clip, cut] your nails
- paint your nails
- [get, have] your nails [done, painted]
- UK: had to pay on the nail
- wearing nail polish
- go to a nail salon
- proper nail care
- a pair of nail clippers
- using a nail file
- is a nail biter
- a nail-biting [end, finish, book]
- nail a [picture, notice, poster] on the [wall, board, lamppost]
- nailed the [picture] to the [wall]
- nail the [picture] up
- nail up the [picture]
- nail [up, shut] the [crate, window, coffin]
- nailed the [crate] [up]
- nailed [him, the suspect, the burglar] (for)
- nailed by [police officers, the authorities, a passer-by]
- it is [difficult, impossible] to nail him down
- (finally) nail down a [date, day, time]
- nail down [a contract, an agreement, an argument]
- nail [a contract] down
- nail the [song, performance, interview]
- (really) nailed it
- sexually explicit: nailed [her, his girlfriend, his wife]
- wearing nail polish
- go to a nail salon
- proper nail care
- a pair of nail clippers
- using a nail file
- is a nail biter
- a nail-biting [end, finish, book]
'nail' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):