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sharp as a tack

Meaning: intelligent; quick-witted; keen-minded.

Language: English

Literally: sharp as a tack

Category: Body & Senses

Origin: Tack's pointed tip; sharp physical object represents sharp intellect.

More idioms — Body & Senses

  • pull someone's leg — To joke or tease someone by telling them something untrue.
  • Avoir la gueule de bois — To be hungover.
  • To turn a blind eye — To deliberately ignore something you know is wrong.
  • To bite the bullet — To face something painful with gritted courage.
  • Hablar por los codos — To talk nonstop.
  • Costar un ojo de la cara — To be outrageously expensive.

More English idioms

  • run it up the flagpole — to test an idea; to present something for approval or feedback.
  • knock on wood — to seek good fortune; to ward off bad luck.
  • Mad as a hatter — Completely eccentric or unhinged.
  • To steal someone's thunder — To take credit for another's idea or upstage their big moment.
  • Hair of the dog — A morning drink taken to cure a hangover.
  • To go cold turkey — To quit a habit abruptly and completely.

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