phrase
nailed it
NAYLD it
Nailed it (phrase) means Did something exactly right, or performed extremely well. Example: “She nailed it in the interview and had an offer by Friday.”
phrase
1
informal Did something exactly right, or performed extremely well.
"She nailed it in the interview and had an offer by Friday."
"One take was all he needed. Nailed it."
2
informal Used sarcastically about an attempt that went badly wrong, especially a failed copy of something.
"The cake looked nothing like the picture. Nailed it."
How to use nailed it
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGot it completely right.
When to use it
Informal; extremely common in speech and social media captions.
Memory tip
'Nail' also works with an object: nail the landing, nail the accent, nail the deadline.
Easily confused with
smashed it
aced it
botched it
Common pairings
absolutely nailed it
you nailed it
nailed the audition
nailed the presentation
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She _____ in the interview and had an offer by Friday.
Rhymes for nailed it
See all rhymes for nailed it →Frequently asked questions
Where does the phrase 'nailed it' come from?
It comes from the verb 'nail' in the sense of fixing something firmly and precisely in place, which extended to hitting a target exactly. The whole phrase is modern informal English.
How do you know if 'nailed it' is sarcastic?
Context and the evidence beside it. Paired with a picture of a disaster, or said flatly after an obvious failure, it means the opposite of praise; said after a genuine success, it is straightforward.
Is 'nailed it' suitable for work?
In speech and casual team chat, yes, and it is a friendly compliment. In formal writing, prefer something like 'handled it perfectly' or 'delivered exactly what was needed'.
What is the meaning of nailed it?
"nailed it" (phrase) means did something exactly right, or performed extremely well.
