What does "nail down" mean?

Specify or fix precisely. For example: We need to nail down the date.

nail down

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle down

Meanings

Why “down”? Attention moves down to one exact point. A target is found, fixed, or specified.

“We need to nail down the date.”

We need to fix the date with precision.

“They nailed down the final price.”

They fixed the final price clearly.

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“We need to nail down the date.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

hunt down

Same down pattern: exact point

Search for someone or something until you find them

pin down

Same down pattern: exact point

Hold someone in place by force; Get someone to commit to a clear answer or decision; Identify or define something exactly

track down

Same down pattern: exact point

Find someone or something after a difficult search

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