nail 1 S3 / neɪl / 名词 [可数名词]

1 a thin pointed piece of metal with a flat top, which you hit into a surface with a hammer, for example to join things together or to hang something on :

The key was hanging on a nail by the door.

hammer/bang/hit a nail into something

She hammered a nail into the wall.

2 your nails are the hard smooth layers on the ends of your fingers and toes :

I’ve broken my nail .

Stop biting your nails !

She sat painting her nails (= putting a coloured substance on them ) .

He still had dirt under his nails. → fingernail , toenail

3 nail in sb’s/sth’s coffin one of several bad things which help to destroy someone’s success or hopes :

Observers fear that this strike will be another nail in the coffin of the industry.

the final nail in his coffin

4 as hard/tough as nails very tough and not easily frightened, or not caring about the effects of your actions on other people

5 on the nail

a) British English if you pay money on the nail, you pay it immediately

b) especially American English completely correct :

They got it absolutely on the nail .

→ hit the nail on the head at hit 1 ( 26 )

COLLOCATIONS

形容词

long Her long nails were painted a pearly pink.

short Her nails were short and uneven.

dirty How did you get such dirty nails?

clean His nails were neat and clean.

finger nail ( also fingernail ) She had small hands with polished finger nails.

toe nail ( also toenail ) His toenails were long and dirty.

动词

cut your nails You should cut your nails more often!

trim your nails (= cut a small amount off ) His nails were neatly trimmed.

file your nails A girl was filing her nails on the bus.

bite your nails Eddie bit his nails nervously.

paint/polish/varnish your nails (= to put coloured liquid on your nails ) Don’t paint short nails in dark colours.

manicure your nails (= to make your nails look attractive by cutting them and making the skin around them neat ) She had manicured nails and expensive clothes.

do your nails informal (= to cut or paint your nails ) She sat at her desk, doing her nails.

break a nail (= to accidentally damage a nail on one of your fingers ) Oh, no, I’ve broken a nail.