What does ‘hit the nail on the head’ mean?
To “hit the nail on the head” means to identify a point exactly. Brewer's records this as an old English proverb, in print by the 16th century.
Origin
- Brewer's records this as an old English proverb, in print by the 16th century.
How to use it
- Warm compliment for a precise observation.
- Example: You hit the nail on the head with that analysis.
Source:
Last verified: 2026-07-18
- Definitions and origins are drawn from public-domain reference works, primarily Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898), with modern usage notes clearly marked.