N

Idioms beginning with "N"

Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation

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Contents of N:

[nice Nelly] (2) or [nice Nellie] {adj.}, {informal}

Too careful not to say or do anything wrong or improper; too proper; prudish.

Her nice Nelly behavior made her unpopular at school.

[Nick]

See: [FULL OF THE OLD NICK].

[nick]

See: [IN THE NICK OF TIME].

[nigger in the woodpile] {n. phr.}, {slang}

Something unexpected that changes a situation; a hidden factor or trick. — Racist and offensive, but commonly used in the past.

* /I knew there had to be a nigger in the woodpile, because the man was being […]

[night]

See:

[FLY-BY-NIGHT],

[MAKE A NIGHT OF IT].

[night and day]

See: [DAY AND NIGHT].

[nightcap] {n.}

A good-night drink; a drink taken just before bedtime.

Let's have a nightcap and then go to sleep.

Would you like to come up to my place for a nightcap?

[night letter] {n.}

A telegram sent at night at a cheaper rate and delivered in the morning.

I waited until after six o'clock in the evening before sending the telegram home because I can say more for the same price in a night letter.

[night life] {n. phr.}

Entertainment at night.

People in the city are able to find more night life than those who live in the country.

[night owl] {n. phr.}

One who sleeps during the day and stays up or works during the night.

Tom hardly ever sleeps at night; he prefers to work by lamp light and has become a regular night owl.

Compare: [GRAVEYARD SHIFT].