Learn the English Phrases A REAL NAIL-BITER and TO HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD

In this English lesson,

I wanted to help you learn the English phrase,

a real nail-biter.

This is a phrase that we use to talk about a situation

that makes you really, really nervous,

or that causes a lot of anxiety.

We usually use this when we're talking about a sports game,

and usually a sports game

that takes place during the championship.

So if you watch a game and your team is doing really well

and then they're not doing well and then they're doing well,

we would say that the game is a real nail-biter.

I hate to admit this,

but Canada just lost the World Junior Hockey Championships.

The last game was last night

and it was a real nail-biter.

I couldn't even watch parts of it.

I watched a little bit here and there.

We lost to, of all people, the United States of America.

Canadians are never happy when they lose at hockey,

and we're not happy at all

when we lose to the United States.

It was a real nail-biter.

Hey, and the second phrase I wanna teach you today

is to hit the nail on the head.

So this is a different type of nail.

Just to go back a bit, a nail-biter,

it refers to the act of biting your nails,

because you're so nervous, you're biting your nails,

but when you hit the nail on the head,

it means that you are absolutely right about something.

And I think it comes more from the literal meaning

of hitting a nail on the head with a hammer.

So if you have a hammer and nails,

you hit the nail on the head.

If you are totally right about something,

we would also say that you have hit the nail on the head.

It's always nice to hit the nail on the head,

especially when you're in a situation

where it's just nice to be right,

it's nice to be totally and absolutely right.

It's really nice to hit the nail on the head.

So to review, when you refer to something

as a real nail-biter, it means that while it was happening,

you were very nervous about the outcome.

And when you hit the nail on the head,

it means you are absolutely and completely right.

Hey, let's look at a comment from a previous video.

This comment is from, I think, Al-Ahmad,

and Al-Ahmad says, "Thank you Mr. Bob.

I think that the phrase get through also means

to contact someone by phone.

I tried to phone him many times, but I can't get through.

Is my example correct?

Anyway, thank you again."

And my response is this, "Yes, exactly.

The phrase get through can be used

when talking about trying to contact someone by phone.

Sometimes you can't get through.

If you can't get through,

it's usually because they don't pick up,

or you get a busy signal."

So, yes, you are exactly correct, Al-Ahmad.

It definitely, the phrase get through can be used

when you're talking about phoning someone.

And it can be a little frustrating, right?

Sometimes you try to phone someone

and you can't get through.

So maybe you get a busy signal.

That doesn't happen very often anymore.

Usually you will get the person's voicemail,

and sometimes the person just doesn't have their phone on,

or they don't have their phone with them.

There are times when I really need to get a hold of Jen,

and when she's out in the field working on her flowers,

she might not have her phone with her,

or her phone has gone dead,

or she just isn't able to answer at that time,

and so I can't get through.

So definitely, the phrase to get through

can certainly refer to phoning someone.

You know what, though?

Jen and I don't often actually phone each other anymore.

We are more likely to text each other.

I'm not sure what your preferred method

of communication is right now in your life, but for me,

texting is my preferred method of communication.

Jen and I text each other.

When I have a question for my boss,

I sometimes text him, even if I'm at work,

because I'm in a classroom and he's in his office.

So texting has certainly become

my default mode of communication.

I'd be curious to know what yours is.

Anyways, Bob the Canadian here.

Hope you're having a good day.

I'll see you tomorrow with another English lesson.