hit the nail on the head
Say it: hit the NAIL on the head /ˌhɪt ðə ˈneɪl ɒn ðə ˈhɛd/ · idiom
What “hit the nail on the head” means
Say exactly what the real problem is.
More precisely: To describe exactly what is causing a problem or situation.
Example: “You hit the nail on the head: the real issue is that nobody owns the project.”
When to use it
In everyday conversation, to warmly agree that someone has correctly identified the cause of a problem.
Similar words
be spot on, get it exactly right
Quick check
Everyone blames the recipe, but you explain that the oven never heated up. Your explanation identifies the exact problem. Which phrase fits?
jump to conclusions or hit the nail on the head?
Show the answer
hit the nail on the head
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