on the nose

I

adjective

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

• Syn: ↑on the button

• Similar to: ↑precise

II

adverb

just as it should be

-

`Precisely, my lord,' he said

• Syn: ↑precisely, ↑exactly, ↑on the dot, ↑on the button

* * *

adverb (or adjective)

1. : to a prescribed or specified measure or limit of size or time : on the button : exactly, precisely

ended the broadcast at 12 on the nose

the 1.5314 inches dimension checked out on the nose

2. : to win — used of horse or dog racing bets

bet $10 on the favorite on the nose

* * *

on the nose

1. (in horse-race betting) to win only (not to come second or third)

2. Exactly (N Am inf)

3. Unsavoury, offensive (Aust informal)

• • •

Main Entry: ↑nose

* * *

1) to a person's sense of smell

the wine is pungently smoky and peppery on the nose

2) informal precisely

at ten on the nose the van pulled up

3) informal (of betting) on a horse to win (as opposed to being placed)

* * *

on the nose

informal : very accurate : done very accurately

You hit it on the nose. [=you are exactly right]

Her prediction was right on the nose.

• • •

Main Entry: ↑nose

* * *

on the ˈnose idiom

(informal, especially NAmE) exactly

•

The budget should hit the $136 billion target on the nose.

Main entry: ↑nose_idiom