to nail
130
8.0
- verb
- /neɪl/
- Informal
:
detener
- If you get out of here, they'll nail you wherever you land.
Maybe we can, maybe we can nail them by framing them.
- Maybe we can, maybe we can nail them by framing them.
- Although once they almost nailed Martin Van Buren for hot wiring a horse.
- So do you have any suggestions or you know, you you took them on and you got nailed for that one.
- And he recently nailed Sam Bagman, freed from S.
Examples
-
But right now you can help yourself if you assist our agents in nailing these bastards.
Fiction book (1994) -
When they finally did nail him for fraud, he spent five years in Sing Sing.
Fiction book (1996) -
So, Cooper, what did they nail you for?
-
You figure if they want to nail you, you'll get the part?
-
We're gonna nail this Noah guy and get him to give up Max's shooter.
Fiction book (1995) -
They nailed me for counterfeit documents.
-
Then came the AzScam investigation, where seven legislators got nailed on video accepting campaign contributions and bribes to support gambling legislation.
Academic text (2011) -
The police were ready to nail the suspect as soon as he arrived at the scene.
-
They managed to nail the thief just before he could escape with the stolen goods.
-
We need to gather enough evidence to nail him for his illegal activities.
Synonyms
∞
3.4
To detain someone and take them to the police station
125
3.9
To take someone to the police because they are suspected of a crime
118
6.1
To arrest someone and put them in police custody
40
5.8
Catch someone suddenly to stop or arrest them
6
6.1
To grab someone by the neck or shirt to stop them
Antonyms
Idioms
People criticize and pressure those who stand out to be like everyone else
Phrasal Verbs
Compounds
40
1.8
A colored or clear paint you put on fingernails and toenails to give them color and shine
- Informal
7
5.2
A situation that makes people very nervous because the result is uncertain
- Informal
3
4.2
Making you feel very nervous and excited while you wait to see what happens
- UK
1
2.7
A colored or clear liquid you put on nails to make them look shiny and protect them
- Specialized
1
6.4
A nail about three inches long used for holding pieces of wood together
- Specialized
A small metal pin about one and a half inches long that holds pieces of wood together
- Offensive
Taking out a person's fingernails or toenails to hurt them during torture
- Australian
A small kangaroo-like animal with a hard nail at the tip of its tail
- Specialized
A thin metal strip with sharp points that you hammer to join wooden boards
How Caught
Surface Forms
Etymology
Nail meaning 'to arrest or catch' uses the same idea of fixing someone in place, like fastening them so they cannot get away, which is why police say they 'nailed' a suspect when they caught and proved the crime.