expression, godan verb (-su)
hit the nail on the head; guess exactly right
Used when someone's remark or guess is precisely correct, often in a sensitive or hidden matter. The phrase literally means 'to point at the bull's-eye'.
彼の指摘は図星を指していたので、何も言い返せなかった。
His remark hit the nail on the head, so I couldn't say anything back.
"Are you maybe upset about yesterday?" "He hit the nail on the head and it startled me."