Hit the nail on the head means describing the real cause or core of a problem exactly. Leah hit the nail on the head: she said precisely what was wrong. The image is simple: a hammer hitting a nail right on its flat top. It praises an accurate comment, not a win or a good result.
When would you say hit the nail on the head?
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someone hits / hit the nail on the head; hit the nail on the head when / by saying...
- Leah hit the nail on the head when she said the instructions were missing a step.
- Your comment about the poor lighting hits the nail on the head.
- He hit the nail on the head: the delay came from unclear responsibilities.
What changed
First versionYesterday, Leah hitted the nail on the head when she explained the confusion.
RevisionYesterday, Leah hit the nail on the head when she explained the confusion.
Most past forms end in -ed, so hitted looks logical. But hit is irregular and never changes: hit, hit, hit. The -ted was removed: yesterday Leah hit the nail on the head.
Cut to the chase is a request to get to the point. Hit the nail on the head judges what has already been said: exactly right. Spot on is shorter and more casual: Your answer was spot on.
Your turn
You identified the exact problem: You hit the nail ___ the head.
Show the answer
on — The idiom is hit the nail on the head: you hit the top of it, from above. In isn't used in this expression.
Praise a friend or colleague who named the exact cause of a problem.
You hit the nail on the head when you said the map was clear but the entrance signs were not.
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