nod

Universal Words 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