on the nose

nose

N0127100 (nōz)n.1. The part of the human face or the forward part of the head of other vertebrates that contains the nostrils and organs of smell and forms the beginning of the respiratory tract.2. The sense of smell: a dog with a good nose.3. The ability to detect, sense, or discover as if by smell: has a nose for gossip.4. The characteristic smell of a wine or liqueur; bouquet.5. Informal The nose considered as a symbol of prying: Keep your nose out of my business.6. Something, such as the forward end of an aircraft, rocket, or submarine, that resembles a nose in shape or position.7. A very short distance or narrow margin: won the race by a nose.v. nosed, nos·ing, nos·es v.tr.1. To find out by or as if by smell: nosed out the thieves' hiding place.2. To touch with the nose; nuzzle.3. To move, push, or make with or as if with the nose.4. To advance the forward part of cautiously: nosed the car into the flow of traffic.v.intr.1. To smell or sniff.2. Informal To search or inquire meddlesomely; snoop or pry: nosing around looking for opportunities.3. To advance with caution: The ship nosed into its berth.Phrasal Verb: nose out To defeat by a narrow margin.Idioms: down (one's) nose Informal With disapproval, contempt, or arrogance: Year-round residents here look down their noses at the summer people. on the nose Exactly; precisely: predicted the final score on the nose. under (someone's) nose In plain view: The keys are right under your nose.

[Middle English, from Old English nosu; see nas- in Indo-European roots.]

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.on the nose - being precise with regard to a prescribed or specified criterion; "his guess was on the nose"; "the prediction for snow was right on the button"on the buttonprecise - sharply exact or accurate or delimited; "a precise mind"; "specified a precise amount"; "arrived at the precise moment"

Adv.

1.on the nose - just as it should be; "`Precisely, my lord,' he said"on the button, on the dot, exactly, precisely

on the nose

1. Precisely accurate; exactly right. Her predictions about the company's collapse were right on the nose.2. At the exact time specified. True to his word, the detective arrived at 1:38 PM on the nose.3. Representing someone or something with indelicate or awkward directness; lacking subtlety or nuance. They had Bob Dylan's song "The Times They Are A-Changin'" playing over a montage of important moments in human history. It was all a bit on the nose, if you ask me.See also: nose, on

on the nose

Exactly, precisely; especially, at the appointed time or estimated amount. For example, The busload of students arrived at the museum at ten o'clock right on the nose, or He guessed the final score on the nose. This term, like on the button, may come from boxing, where the opponent's nose is a highly desired target. [c. 1930] See also: nose, on

on the nose

OLD-FASHIONED1. If you talk about a time or amount being on the nose, you mean that it is exactly that time or amount. This is Radio One FM. Precisely on the nose seven sixteen. Note: The origin of this expression is in broadcasting. When a show was running on time, the producer put a finger on his or her nose to signal this fact to the performers. 2. If you describe someone or something as on the nose, you mean that they are generally considered to be unpleasant or offensive. It is now the Liberals who are on the nose at a state level.See also: nose, on

on the nose

1 to a person's sense of smell. 2 precisely. informal, chiefly North American 3 distasteful; offensive. Australian informalSee also: nose, on

on the ˈnose

(informal, especially American English) exactly: The budget should hit the $136 billion target on the nose. OPPOSITE: be/fall wide of the markSee also: nose, on

on the nose

mod. exactly on time; exactly as planned. All three of them were at the appointed place right on the nose. See also: nose, on

on the nose

Exactly; precisely: predicted the final score on the nose.See also: nose, on

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Synonyms for on the nose

adj being precise with regard to a prescribed or specified criterion

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Related Words

adv just as it should be

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