[hit] the nail on the head
1
to say or do the exact right thing in a particular situation
The idiom "hit the nail on the head" originated from carpentry, referring to literally striking a nail perfectly in one attempt on the center of its head with a hammer. This idiom emerged in the early 16th century, capturing how difficult but satisfactory it was to precisely target the small head of a nail. The expression is now used to describe getting straight to the heart of a matter, or precisely identifying and understanding an issue.
- The coach analyzed my form and said I was holding the racket too tight - he really hit the nail on the head with that observation.
- The detective hit the nail on the head when he suspected it was the jealous ex-spouse behind the crime.
- In her speech, the politician hit the nail on the head about the real issues affecting voters.
- My friend's advice to enjoy life to the fullest really hit the nail on the head about making the most of time.
- The movie's depiction of office politics hit the nail on the head from my own experience.