ENGLISH
REFERENCE

spit nails

idiom
Meaning

To speak or sputter in a very angry manner.


Examples
SIMPLE

He is spitting nails because he missed his train.

CONTEXTUAL

When the manager saw the broken equipment, he started spitting nails and demanded to know who was responsible.

COMPLEX

Upon discovering that his private correspondence had been leaked to the press, the politician began spitting nails, his face turning a deep shade of crimson as he confronted his staff.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    bite one's nails

    To worry or fret over something.

  2. 02

    chew the meat and spit out the bones

    To take in a great deal of information and selectively disregard some of it as invalid or inapplicable.

  3. 03

    dummy spit

    The act of overreacting (as an adult) to a situation childishly, in an angry or frustrated manner.

  4. 04

    hard as nails

    Very unsympathetic; callous

  5. 05

    spit feathers

    To feel very thirsty.

  6. 06

    spit in the ocean

    A very small or insignificant amount; something of little importance.

  7. 07

    spit in the wind

    Alternative form of piss in the wind.

  8. 08

    spit into the wind

    Alternative form of piss in the wind.

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