on the nose
Dead center, metaphorically
On the nose means exactly right or precisely accurate: Her estimate was on the nose.
In American slang, particularly in betting contexts, it means a wager on a horse to win only (not place or show).
In Australian slang, something on the nose smells bad or is offensive: That fish is a bit on the nose.
The phrase can also describe something overly obvious or lacking subtlety: The symbolism was a bit on the nose.
Precisely correct, informally
- dead-onCompletely accurate
- exactPerfectly correct, no deviation
- preciseExactly correct, no error
- correctFree from error
right · bang-on · bulls-eye · pinpoint · unerring · perfect · true · apt
Airborne odor detected
- aromaPleasant distinctive smell
- smellOlfactory perception
- fragrancePleasing olfactory quality
- odorPerceived atmospheric emission
whiff · bouquet · pungency · stench · sniff · aromatic · perfume · redolent
Breathing holes in face
- nasalOf the nose
- septumInternal anatomical partition
- nosebridgeFacial bone supporting eyewear
- snoutBeast's protruding face
Lacking nuance or delicacy
- obviousEasily perceived, unmistakable
- blatantOffensively conspicuous
- heavy-handedClumsy and oppressive
- overtPlainly apparent to all
ham-fisted · explicit · unmistakable · crude · artless · clumsy · inelegant · graceless
spot-on
Precisely correct, informally
correct · right · bang-on · bulls-eye · pinpoint · unerring · perfect · true · apt · fitting
scent
Airborne odor detected
odor · whiff · bouquet · pungency · stench · sniff · aromatic · perfume · redolent · musk
nostrils
Breathing holes in face
- nasalOf the nose
- septumInternal anatomical partition
- nosebridgeFacial bone supporting eyewear
snout · boop · tap · touch · poke · nudge · tip · bump · nuzzle
unsubtle
Lacking nuance or delicacy
- obviousEasily perceived, unmistakable
- blatantOffensively conspicuous
- heavy-handedClumsy and oppressive
overt · ham-fisted · explicit · unmistakable · crude · artless · clumsy · inelegant · graceless · tactless
- bullseye phrasesbullseye, nailed it, spot-on, dead-on, on point
- idiomstime flies, ring a bell, break a leg, eat your words, raining cats and dogs
- Precision phraseson target, spot on, dead on, bulls-eye, on point
- Precision Wordsexact, precision, accuracy, precise, accurate
- affirmationsyes, yeah, yep, okay, sure
- dialogueconversation, line, lines, banter, talk
on the noseoff the mark
Incorrect or mistaken
inaccurate · imprecise · wide of the mark · approximate · off target
on the nosesubtle
Not immediately obvious
nuanced · understated · implicit · suggestive · oblique
nose, the, nosy, nosedive, noses, nosebleed, nosegay, noselike, noseband