nut
(nʌt )
Word forms: nuts
1. countable noun B2
The firm shelled fruit of some trees and bushes are called nuts. Some nuts can be eaten.
Nuts and seeds are good sources of vitamin E.
Synonyms: kernel, stone, seed, pip
2. See also groundnut, hazelnut, peanut
3. countable noun
A nut is a thick metal ring which you screw onto a metal rod called a bolt. Nuts and bolts are used to hold things such as pieces of machinery together.
If you want to repair the wheels, you just undo the four nuts.
...nuts and bolts that haven't been tightened up.
4. countable noun
If you describe someone as, for example, a football nut or a health nut, you mean that they are extremely enthusiastic about the thing mentioned. [informal]
...a football nut who spends thousands of pounds travelling to watch games.
Synonyms: fanatic, addict, enthusiast, freak [informal]
5. adjective
If you are nuts about something or someone, you like them very much. [informal, feelings]
They're nuts about the car.
She's nuts about you. [+ about]
6. countable noun
If you refer to someone as a nut, you mean that they are mad. [informal, disapproval]
There's some nut out there with a gun.
7. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you say that someone goes nuts or is nuts, you mean that they go crazy or are very foolish. [informal]
You guys are nuts.
A number of the French players went nuts, completely out of control.
8. plural noun
A man's testicles can be referred to as his nuts. [informal, rude]
9. countable noun [usually poss NOUN]
Your head can be referred to as your nut. [informal]
10. do one's nut/go nuts phrase
If someone goes nuts, or in British English does their nut, they become extremely angry. [informal]
My father would go nuts if he saw bruises on me.
We heard your sister doing her nut.
11. nuts and bolts phrase
If you talk about the nuts and bolts of a subject or an activity, you are referring to the detailed practical aspects of it rather than abstract ideas about it.
He's more concerned about the nuts and bolts of location work.
Synonyms: essentials, basics, fundamentals, nitty-gritty [informal]
12. a tough nut phrase [usually verb-link PHRASE]
If you think someone is difficult to deal with, you can say they are a tough nut or a hard nut. [informal]
The Daily Express describes Dr Carey as a pretty tough nut.
13. a hard nut to crack/ a tough nut to crack phrase [usually verb-link PHRASE]
If you say that something is a hard nut to crack or a tough nut to crack, you mean that it is difficult to do or to understand. [informal]
Getting out there is in many ways the hardest nut to crack.
Image of nut
© Roman Tsubin, Shutterstock
Idioms:
do your nut [British, informal]
to become very angry about something
I wanted to ask Lorraine out and I knew that Wendy would do her nut if she found out.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
a tough nut to crack
a problem that is difficult to solve or a person who is difficult to deal with or to defeat in an argument or competition
Despite not having won a title of note, Harrington has taken 17.5 points from a possible 20 in international singles, making him a tough nut to crack.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
a sledgehammer to crack a nut [British]
said to mean that the methods someone is using to solve a problem are far stronger than is necessary
Bankers say that the proposed law is a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Translations:
Chinese: 螺母, 坚果
Japanese: ナット device, ナッツ food
- push the right button
- push through
- push-up
- push-up position
- push up the price
- pushy
- pusillanimous
- puss
- pussy
- pussycat
- pussyfoot
- pustule
- put
- put a bomb under something
- put about
- put a brake on
- put a brave face on
- put a brave face on something
- put a brave face on sth
- put a brave face on sth/put on a brave face
- put a burden on
- put across
- put a curse on
- put a dampener on
- put a damper on