{"id":4791,"date":"2022-06-22T19:28:41","date_gmt":"2022-06-22T19:28:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=4791"},"modified":"2022-06-22T19:28:41","modified_gmt":"2022-06-22T19:28:41","slug":"nailed-it-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/nailed-it-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Nailed It \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for a way to tell someone that you got something exactly right and achieved the desired result? You could say that you \u201cnailed it<\/em>\u201d to describe your perfection. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201cnailed it\u201d<\/em> means that you executed something to perfection and received the expected result. If you say you \u201cnailed it<\/em>,\u201d it means that it couldn\u2019t have gone any better, and you\u2019re thrilled with the outcome. The expression can apply to many situations, tasks, and activities.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If someone asks you how you did with your exam, you could say you \u201cnailed it<\/em>\u201d to describe your outstanding performance and a good expected result. Usually, you \u201cnail it<\/em>\u201d due to preparing for an event, such as a track meet, when you take first place and say you \u201cnailed it<\/em>\u201d with your performance.<\/p>\n

However, it can also refer to spontaneous performance. For example, where someone randomly tests your intelligence or memory, and you pass the exam with flying colors. \u201cNailed it<\/em>\u201d is the subject of many viral internet memes and GIFs, and people will send them to each other when they say they made a good point in the conversation.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\"I think I nailed it with this recipe. This tastes fantastic. Have you tried it yet? It came out better than I expected.\"<\/p>\n

\"We really nailed it with that project. I don't see how we could have gotten any better from any other approach to it.<\/p>\n

\"I think we really nailed it with this. In a few years, everyone is going to want an iPhone. Apple will change the way people communicate.\"<\/p>\n

\"We nailed it with that presentation. The client ate it up, and I think they'll call us with an engagement letter by the end of the day.\"<\/p>\n

\"I nailed it with that suggestion to place the safety bars on that corner. There was an accident there last week. Without them, the neighbor's wall would be totaled.\"<\/p>\n

\"I think you nailed it with this one, honey. My mom can't even make spaghetti sauce this good. It's delicious, well done.\"<\/p>\n

\"I think Biden nailed it when he said inflation is because of Putin. It's got nothing to do with the Federal Reserve printing trillions of dollars the last few years.\"<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201cnailed it\u201d originates from the Roman poet Horace. Horace wrote a similar Latin phrase with the same meaning as \u201cnailed it.\u201d However, Horace doesn\u2019t get the credit for popularizing the term.<\/p>\n

Over time, people started using \u201cnit the nail on the head\u201d to describe actions or words used with precision to achieve an expected outcome close to perfection. As the decades passed, people shortened the saying to \u201cnailed it\u201d in the mid-1900s.<\/p>\n

There is no written record of the first appearance or use of the saying. Language experts are unsure of when the expression first appeared in English.<\/p>\n