Hit the nail on the head

Phrase of the day

Discover a new phrase each day to use in your English! These are special phrases and sayings that English speakers use all the time, but you don't often see these phrases in English course books or other study material. Visit daily to learn some popular English phrases on a regular basis.

30 April 2026

Hit the nail on the head

We use this expression to say that somebody's suggestion is exactly the right answer to a problem.

Written: Yes

Spoken: Yes

Formal: No

Informal: Yes

Example 1

What do think is wrong with my car? I can't get it to start.

Have you run out of petrol, maybe?

That's it! You've hit ht enail on the head. I don't suppose you've got any petrol you can spare?

Example 2

I'm completely out of ideas about what to get Jenny for her birthday.

Why don't we get her a replacement for her broken iPod?

Brilliant idea! You've hit the nail on the head. She'll love that.

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Apr2026

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