2025-04-08
flashphrase
Just like in English, this phrase means to identify something perfectly or get straight to the heart of a matter.
The expression's roots lie in carpentry and construction. A skilled craftsman would aim to hit a nail precisely on its head with one clean stroke – a metaphor for precision and accuracy. Archaeological findings suggest the idiom has existed since at least medieval times, when guild craftsmen developed specialized skills. Unlike many idioms, this one crossed linguistic boundaries almost identically.
🇩🇪 – Mit seiner Analyse der wirtschaftlichen Lage hat er den Nagel auf den Kopf getroffen. 🇬🇧 – With his analysis of the economic situation, he hit the nail on the head.