drive a nail where it will go
English
[edit]Verb
[edit]drive a nail where it will go (third-person singular simple present drives a nail where it will go, present participle driving a nail where it will go, simple past drove a nail where it would go, past participle driven a nail where it would go)
- (archaic) To take a pragmatic or expedient approach, rather than the ideal.
- 1857, Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's School Days:
- "Well, I think East is right," said Arthur; "I can't see but what it's right to do the best you can, though it mayn't be the best absolutely. Every man isn't born to be a martyr."
"Of course, of course," said East; "but he's on one of his pet hobbies. — How often have I told you, Tom, that you must drive a nail where it'll go."