verb, noun
verb (-dd-)
1 if you nod, nod your head or your head nods, you move your head up and down to show agreement, understanding, etc:
[V] I asked him if he would help me and he nodded. * 'Ready?' She nodded at me and we set off. * Her head nodded in agreement. * [VN] He nodded his head sympathetically. * She nodded approval.
2 ~ (sth) (at / to sb) to move your head down and up once to greet sb or to give them a sign to do sth:
[V] The president nodded to the crowd as he passed in the motorcade. * She nodded at him to begin speaking * [VN] to nod a greeting
3 [V+adv./prep.] to move your head in the direction of sb/sth to show that you are talking about them/it:
I asked where Steve was and she nodded in the direction of the kitchen. * She nodded towards his suitcase. 'Going somewhere?' she asked.
4 [V] to let your head fall forward when you are sleeping in a chair:
He sat nodding in front of the fire.
IDIOMS
have a nodding acquaintance with sb/sth to only know sb/sth slightly
PHRASALVERBS
nod off (informal) to fall asleep for a short time while you are sitting in a chair:
I was practically nodding off in that meeting.
noun a small quick movement of the head down and up again:
to give a nod of approval / agreement / encouragement
IDIOMS
get the nod (informal) to be chosen for sth; to be given permission or approval to do sth:
He got the nod from the team manager (= he was chosen for the team). * The proposal should get the nod.
give sb/sth the nod (informal)
1 to give permission for sth; to agree to sth:
We've been given the nod to expand the business. * I hope he'll give the nod to the plan.
2 to choose sb for sth
a nod and a wink
