On the nose Meaning in English
expression
ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈnoʊz
AHN thuh NOHZ
ˈɒn/ /ðə, ði/ /nˈəʊz
ON thuh NOHZ
Definition
Used to say something is exactly right, either in amount or accuracy. It can also mean something is very obvious or direct, sometimes too much so.
Usage & Nuances
Common in informal/spoken English. Used for exact time or measurement ('8:00 on the nose') or when someone's comment is very accurate, but can also mean something a bit too obvious or unsubtle ('that joke was a bit on the nose'). Don't use literally for the physical nose.
Spanish: exacto - en el clavo (figurado)Portuguese (BR): exato - na mosca (figurado)Portuguese (PT): exato - na mouche (figurado)Chinese (Simplified): 正好 - 恰到好处Chinese (Traditional): 正好 - 恰到好處Hindi: बिल्कुल सही - बिल्कुल सटीकArabic: بالضبط - على وجه الدقةBengali: ঠিক ঠিক - একেবারে সঠিক - স্পষ্ট (অতিরিক্ত)Russian: точь-в-точь - в яблочко - слишком буквальноJapanese: ぴったり - どんぴしゃ - あからさま（過ぎる）Vietnamese: chính xác - vừa khít - lộ liễu (quá rõ ràng)Korean: 정확히 - 딱 맞게 - 너무 노골적으로Turkish: tam tamına - tam olarak - fazla açıkUrdu: بالکل درست - بالکل ٹھیک - کچھ زیادہ ہی واضحIndonesian: tepat sekali - pas banget - terlalu jelas
Example Sentences
The train arrived at 7:30 on the nose.
basic
Her guess was on the nose—twenty candies in the jar.
basic
It's 12 o'clock on the nose.
basic
That movie's message was a little on the nose.
natural
You got my age on the nose!
natural
His description was on the nose, I knew exactly who he meant.
natural