Word
nelson
Phoneticsnel·son
US/ˈnɛɫsən/
UK/nˈɛlsən/
Definitions
01wrestling hold
n. a move in wrestling where you put your arm under your opponent's arm and press your hand against their neck.
n. a grappling hold in which a wrestler places their arm under the opponent's arm from behind and applies pressure to the neck or head.
“The wrestler won the match after trapping his opponent in a full nelson.”
“The referee watched closely as the athlete applied a half nelson, ensuring the pressure remained within the legal limits of the competition.”
Technical
Usage
Often specified as a 'full nelson' or 'half nelson' depending on the number of arms used.
02cricket score
n. a score of 111 in cricket, which some people believe is unlucky.
n. a score of 111 runs achieved by a team or individual batsman, traditionally regarded as unlucky in cricketing superstition.
“The crowd went quiet when the team reached a nelson, fearing a wicket would fall.”
“Superstitious fans often lift their feet off the ground when the scoreboard shows a nelson to ward off bad luck.”
British English · Technical
Teaching tip
This is a very specific cultural term used almost exclusively in cricket-playing nations like the UK and Australia.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Mandela’s Gun (2016) dramatised Nelson Mandela ’s stint as a guerrilla fighter for the ANC.”