Hit The Nail Right on the Head - Idiom of the Day for IELTS Speaking & Writing
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Want your answers to be more impactful in IELTS Speaking & Writing? Use the idiom of the day ‘Hit the Nail Right on the Head’, and learn its meaning and get familiar with band 8+ tips to use it seamlessly to express ideas with clarity and purpose.
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Want to make your IELTS Speaking or Writing sound more natural and fluent? Here’s an idiom to add to your vocabulary – “Hit the nail right on the head”. Using idioms like this in your IELTS Speaking and Writing shows strong language skills and helps improve your vocabulary range, which is eventually significant for a high IELTS score.. Try different exercises and experiment with various sentence structures to ensure you’re using the idiom accurately and naturally. Here, we will break down the meaning, usage, and examples of this idiom so you can ace your next IELTS exam!.
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What is the Meaning of the Idiom ‘Hit The Nail Right on the Head’?
While you are expanding your IELTS Vocabulary, you need to make sure that you are aware of what the idiom means and how to use it in a sentence. Doing so will make you sound more natural like a native speaker without hesitation, especially in the speaking section. The table below depicts the meaning, synonyms, collocation, and example sentences for the idiom, ‘hit the nail right on the head’.
Topic |
Description |
Hit The Nail Right On The Head |
Idiom |
Definition |
To be correct or right. |
Synonyms |
Spot on, Accurate, Get it right, Precise. |
Collocation (With verb) |
Has hit the nail on the head / Always hits the nail on the head |
Example |
“When Grandpa called Uncle a miser, Father told him that he had hit the nail right on the head, because Uncle never liked to part with his money, not even for his family.”
“The recent study hits the nail on the head as it links junk food to obesity.” |
Grab the Vocabulary for IELTS (Essential words for popular topics in IELTS) and take a step towards your desired band score of 8+.
How to Use‘Hit The Nail Right on ohe Head’ in IELTS Speaking & Writing?
Using idioms is a key factor in the parameter of lexical resources for you, especially to score a higher IELTS Band Score. An idiom such as “Hit the Nail Right on the Head” adds value when used in both the Speaking and Writing sections. However, its application requires more than just knowing the definition since you must be aware of the context, collocations, and sentence structures. The following are some of the band 8+ tips which you can use to elevate your IELTS preparation with the idiom.
- You must have a firm grasp on when the idioms should be utilized to maximize their effectiveness. The right context should feel appropriate as it helps enhance the natural fluidity in Speaking and Writing.
- Speak with confidence and refrain yourself from using the idiom in every single sentence. Your answers would sound monotonous and repetitive, which can negatively impact your band score.
- It is important to understand how you can use the idiom in the IELTS Writing section so that you become comfortable using them in your responses. Focus on clarity and creating a well-structured answer as you try writing the essay.
- Create a flashcard where there you can write the idiom and try recalling the meaning and make sentences related to the idiom. This would enhance your memory and you do not hesitate during your speaking exam while using the idiom.
- Recording yourself speaking is an effective way to memorize the idiom. Along with that, you can also look for redundancy and check for synonyms which will enhance your speaking skills.
Check out the video to learn the top IELTS Speaking Idioms for Band 9.
Exercises for ‘Hit The Nail Right On The Head’
EXERCISE 1: Complete the sentences with the expressions in the box. Check your answers in the answer key on this page.
under the weather |
cost an arm and a leg |
go the extra mile |
hit the nail right on the head |
pull one’s weight |
1 As soon as she explained the main cause of the problem, she _______________________.
2 Nolan is feeling a bit _______________________ today and might not attend gym session.
3 You will score well in your final exams unless you want to _______________________ with practice.
4 I love the new designer bag, but it _______________________!
5 To get success, you’ll have to _______________________ in both preparation and performance.
EXERCISE 2: Each sentence given below misuses the idiom ‘hit the nail right on the head’. Identify the error and correct it by making a new sentence. In some sentences, you need to rephrase it and use the idiom correctly.
1 She hit the hammer right on point with her analysis.
2 The manager’s explanation was accurate and insightful.
3 The team leader nailed the head of the point with his new suggestion.
4 Malcolm has described the issue perfectly in one sentence.
5 The Principal pointed the nail right by saying education needs reform.
EXERCISE 3: Attempt the speaking cue card topic and try to use this idiom in your speech.
Describe a photograph you have taken yourself which you particularly like . Try to use this idiom in your speech. You should say:
– What the picture shows
– When you took it
– Why you took it
And explain why you particularly like this photograph
Answer to the Exercise for the Idiom of the Day ‘Hit The Nail Right On the Head’
Remember to always attempt the questions yourself before you check out the answers to acquire the skills needed for the IELTS Exam. Also, in the speaking cue card question, it is suggested to record yourself speaking so that you can note the number of times you have used idioms along with the areas of improvement. Now, let’s look at the answers to the exercises.
EXERCISE 1
1. hit the nail right on the head |
2. under the weather |
3. pull your weight |
4. costs an arm and a leg |
5. go the extra mile |
EXERCISE 2
- She hit the nail right on the head with her analysis.
- The manager hit the nail right on the head with his accurate and insightful explanation.
- The team leader hit the nail right on the head with his new suggestion.
- Malcolm hit the nail right on the head by describing the issue perfectly in one sentence.
- The Principal hit the nail right on the head when he said education needs reform.
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Keep up with the practice and you will be able to use the idioms seamlessly into your answers for the IELTS speaking & writing sections. By acquiring a thorough understanding of the meaning and context in which you can use the idiom would enhance your score in lexical range and accuracy. So, build your confidence and gain the self-assurance to attempt any question while taking a step towards success.
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