nails down
Settles beyond doubt
To nail down is to secure something firmly, literally with nails or figuratively by settling details: We need to nail down the specifics before signing.
You nail down a commitment, a date, or an agreement—making it fixed and definite.
To nail down a concept is to understand it precisely: I'm still trying to nail down what she meant.
- pinpointLocate with exactness
- deduceReach by reasoning
- gets to the bottom ofFinds the root cause
- clinchSettle beyond doubt
- lock inCommit to irrevocably
settle · hammers out · hammer · determine · fasten · establish · attach · decide · confirm · secure · finalize · specify · resolve · conclude · affix · bind · tack · screw
nails downmuddles
Creates disorder or confusion
obscures · confuses · fudges · unsettles · glosses over
nails downgeneralizes
Forms broad principles
glosses over · fudges · blurs · muddles · obfuscates
nail, nails, nailed, nailing, down, downer, downs, downed, downing