nag: to ask for something again and again; to bother someone with questions and requests.

Tito’s wife nagged him to do work around the house so often, he finally decided to move out.

nail: to be successful in something; to do something well (sometimes it means to have sex).

The Vikings nailed another victory, and now they’re going on to the playoffs.

nark: to inform the authorities of illegal or unethical activity.

Natasha was getting free cable TV service for years until her neighbors narked on her.

neo-con: short for "neo-conservative, a person with a politically conservative, often Republican, view of world affairs. Favors preemptive attacks on sovereign nations.

The neo-cons advising George Bush in the first half of his administration, quickly found the door when their plans in Iraq went awry.

nerd: awkward and often brainy but not good at athletics, and often not good at social interaction.

Our new math teacher is kind of a nerd. He always has a calculator and several pens and pencils sticking out of his front pocket.

network: an ability to contact a group of people with similar interests, usually for the benefit of an individual or a company (a word often used in business settings).

Oscar used his sharp networking skills to get another job soon after he was laid off.

never mind: it’s not important; it doesn’t matter; no problem.

A: Do you still need help?

B: No, never mind. I’ve found what I was looking for.

nickel and dime: to pay small amounts of money, suddenly amounting to a large amount.

Every year it seems as though the schools nickel and dime the parents to death by asking for more financial support.

nightie night: goodnight.

nit-pick: identify small problems; complain about everything.

If you keep nit-picking the way I cook, I’m not going to make dinner any more.

nitwit: a stupid person.

The pharmacist is a total nitwit. He gave me the wrong prescription, and he overcharged me for the medication.

no-go: something that isn’t going to happen.

The game tonight is a no-go because of the weather.

no good: poor quality; a bad product (similar to "not good").

We had to throw out the apples because they were no good.

no-no: a bad situation

Smoking inside public buildings is a big no-no.

no show: someone doesn’t come to an event, an appointment, or a meeting–often without calling.

Dr. Johnson’s 3:00 appointment was a no-show, so he left his office to go play some golf.

no sweat: no problem; something easy.

A: Can you lend me 20 bucks?

B: Sure, no sweat.

no way: no; absolutely not; impossible.

He’ll have to take out a loan because there’s no way he’s going to have enough money to buy a new car.

not so hot: not good.

A: How do you feel today?

B: Not so hot. I think I’m going to stay in bed and get some rest.

not so much: something isn’t good, especially in comparison to something else.

I like the way this band sounds, but as for the one that play earlier–not so much.

not to worry: don’t worry.

A: Oh no! I forgot to bring my wallet.

B: Not to worry. I have some money I can lend you.

no win: a situation in which no one benefits.

Geraldo and Jose decided that a fight would put them both into a no-win situation at work, so they decided to just try to get along with each other.

number one: the best; the biggest.

Toyota is now the number one automaker in the world because they make great cars.

nut job: a crazy person; someone you dislike because his or her behavior is unusual.

The guy who decorates his house with empty glass bottles is a real nut job.

nuts and bolts: the important parts of something.

Do you understand the nuts and bolts of our program?

nutty: a little odd; unusual.

A bake sale seems like a nutty way to raise money for a school. There has to be a better way to do that.

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