Basic Details
Word: Doornail
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A heavy nail used to fasten a door; often referred to in the phrase "dead as a doornail," meaning completely dead or no longer functioning.
Synonyms: Nail, fastener
Antonyms: N/A
Idioms and Phrases
- Dead as a doornail: Used to describe something that is completely lifeless or out of use. Example: "The old car is dead as a doornail after sitting in the garage for years."
- Hammer on a doornail: To persistently pursue a task or idea despite difficulties. Example: "She kept hammering on the doornail, applying for jobs every day until she finally got hired."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The carpenter used a doornail to secure the new wooden door in place.
Example 2: After years without upkeep, the garden was as dead as a doornail, overrun with weeds and thorns.
Example 3: The phrase "dead as a doornail" is often used when things are no longer usable or functional.
Fun Fact
Interestingly, the phrase "dead as a doornail" has been used for centuries, dating back to the 14th century, and its exact origin is unclear. It may refer to how a doornail, once hammered in, is flattened and cannot be reused.
Famous Quote
"I am indeed a king, because I know how to reign over myself." - Pietr de Vries. This shows that even when something seems dead, like the doornail, one can still find value in self-control.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "doornail" refer to?
a) A type of flower
b) A heavy nail used to fasten a door
c) A cooking tool
d) A piece of furniture
Answer: b) A heavy nail used to fasten a door
2. Which of these is a synonym of "doornail"?
a) Bolt
b) Hammer
c) Nail
d) Screw
Answer: c) Nail
3. What is the meaning of "dead as a doornail"?
a) Extremely happy
b) Completely dead or no longer useful
c) Very active
d) Strong and healthy
Answer: b) Completely dead or no longer useful
4. Which sentence uses "doornail" correctly?
a) The doornail is a popular dessert.
b) I hammered the doornail into the wood to secure it.
c) The doornail can fly in the sky.
d) The doornail danced at the party.
Answer: b) I hammered the doornail into the wood to secure it.
5. Which idiom means "completely lifeless"?
a) Hammer on a doornail
b) As dead as a doornail
c) Barking up the wrong tree
d) A stitch in time saves nine
Answer: b) As dead as a doornail
