quick nod
1
1.4
- noun
:
asentimiento rápido
- The teacher looked at the class and received a quick nod from the students.
- gave a quick nod
Examples
-
He gives her a quick nod of acknowledgment as he gets to his feet.
Fiction book (1992) -
Jaffa briefly touches Ali on the shoulder; a quick nod from Ali, and Jaffa leaves, escorted by three bodyguards.
Fiction book (1996) -
"Again came the quick nod, as though the announcement was not news."
Fiction book (1990) -
Somebody was in charge; that was all he really needed or wanted to know. It was obvious from his quick nod.
Fiction book (1991) -
There were quick nods of approval.
Fiction book (1990) -
Satisfied with what she saw, she gave a quick nod and gratefully accepted the respectful silence of his company.
Fiction book (1999) -
They gave a quick nod to Faul as they brushed past her and out the door.
Fiction book (1991) -
"You've come because of what happened in the village the other day with Joseph's wife, haven't you?" Startled, Lydia gave a quick nod.
Fiction book (1990) -
She acknowledged my suggestion with a quick nod.
-
After my explanation, he gave a quick nod to show he understood.
Synonyms
131
1.0
A quick downward movement of the head to show agreement or greeting
5
5.6
A quick small movement of the head used as a greeting
How Quick
1
1.4
442
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a brief gesture of agreement' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'quick' (done in a short time) with 'nod' (a small vertical head movement indicating assent). This compositional, literal combination follows common adjective + noun patterns and is cross-linguistically obvious, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand the MWE.
Etymology
Quick nod comes from the small, fast head movement people make when they agree. The word nod is the up-and-down motion and quick shows it is very short, so a quick nod means 'a brief sign of agreement or acknowledgment'.