nut

[[t]nʌ̱t[/t]]

nuts

1) N-COUNT The firm shelled fruit of some trees and bushes are called nuts. Some nuts can be eaten.

→ See also , hazelnut, peanut

Nuts and seeds are good sources of vitamin E.

2) N-COUNT A nut is a thick metal ring which you screw onto a metal rod called a bolt. Nuts and bolts are used to hold things such as pieces of machinery together.

If you want to repair the wheels you just undo the four nuts.

...nuts and bolts that haven't been tightened up.

3) N-COUNT: usu with supp If you describe someone as, for example, a football nut or a health nut, you mean that they are extremely enthusiastic about the thing mentioned. [INFORMAL]

...a football nut who spends thousands of pounds travelling to watch games.

Syn:

fanatic

4) ADJ: v-link ADJ about n (feelings) If you are nuts about something or someone, you like them very much. [INFORMAL]

They're nuts about the car...

She's nuts about you.

5) N-COUNT (disapproval) If you refer to someone as a nut, you mean that they are mad. [INFORMAL]

There's some nut out there with a gun.

6) ADJ: v-link ADJ If you say that someone goes nuts or is nuts, you mean that they go crazy or are very foolish. [INFORMAL]

You guys are nuts...

A number of the French players went nuts, completely out of control.

7) N-PLURAL A man's testicles can be referred to as his nuts. [INFORMAL, RUDE]

8) N-COUNT: usu poss N Your head can be referred to as your nut. [INFORMAL]

9) PHRASE: V inflects If someone goes nuts, or in British English does their nut, they become extremely angry. [INFORMAL]

My father would go nuts if he saw bruises on me...

We heard your sister doing her nut.

10) PHRASE: usu the PHR of n If you talk about the nuts and bolts of a subject or an activity, you are referring to the detailed practical aspects of it rather than abstract ideas about it.

He's more concerned about the nuts and bolts of location work.

11) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If you think someone is difficult to deal with, you can say they are a tough nut or a hard nut. [INFORMAL]

The Daily Express describes Dr Carey as a pretty tough nut.

12) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If you say that something is a hard nut to crack or a tough nut to crack, you mean that it is difficult to do or to understand. [INFORMAL]

Getting out there is in many ways the hardest nut to crack.