nail down

verb

nailed down; nailing down; nails down

1

: to make (something, such as a victory) certain to happen

They need to score another touchdown to nail down the victory.

2

: to find out or identify (something) exactly

Her doctors haven't yet been able to nail down a diagnosis.

They're trying to nail down the cause of our network problems.

3

: to make (something) definite or final

nail down a decision

Examples of nail down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Roots, a second-division franchise founded in 2018, have been on a similar quest to nail down long-term digs in Oakland. — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 31 July 2026

Health officials are still racing to nail down the source of the outbreak of the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which is known to cause frequent — and often explosive — watery diarrhea. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 30 July 2026

Decorations such as a flower vase have been nailed down in an effort to deter vandalism. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026

In the meantime, the challenges that lie ahead for Kubicek include nailing down a higher state subsidy than Tri-Rail received last year, and completing an overhauled fare system which will see passengers pay an extra 10% starting in October. — David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 24 July 2026

Rhymes for nail down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown