N

[nail] See: HARD AS NAILS, HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD, TOOTH AND NAIL.

[nail down] {v. phr.}, {informal}

To make certain; make sure; settle.

/Joe had a hard time selling his car, but he finally nailed the sale down when he got his friend Sam to give him $300./

* /The New York Yankees nailed down the American League ...

[nail one's colors to the mast] {literary} To let everyone know what you think is right and refuse to change.

/During the election campaign the candidate nailed his colors to the mast on the question of civil rights./

[name] See: CALL NAMES, HANDLE TO ONE'S NAME, IN NAME, TAKE ONE'S NAME IN VAIN, TO ONE'S NAME.

[name calling] See: CALL NAMES.

[named after] {adj. phr.}

Given the same name as someone.

/Archibald was named after his father./

[name day] {n.}

The day of the saint for whom a person is named.

/Lawrence's name day is August 10, the feast of St. Lawrence./

[namedropper] {n. phr.}

A person who is always mentioning well-known names.

/Since her move to Hollywood she has become a regular namedropper./

[name is mud] {informal} (You) are in trouble; a person is blamed or no longer liked. — Used in the possessive.

/If you tell your mother I spilled ink on her rug my name will be mud./

* /Your name will be mud if you tell the teacher about the bad ...

[name of the game] {n.}, {informal}

The crux of the matter; that which actually occurs under the disguise of something else.

/Getting medium income families to support the rest of society — that's the name of the game!/