We took him for a nice Nelly when he wouldn't fight.
Her nice Nelly behavior made her unpopular at school.
Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". Оригинал: A.Маккей, М.Т.Боткер, Дж.И.Гейтс. 1997.
nice Nelly — ☆ nice Nelly n. a prudish or affectedly modest person, who uses euphemisms: also sp. nice Nellie nice Nelly adj … English World dictionary
nice nelly — noun or nice nellie ˈ ̷ ̷ˈnelē Usage: usually capitalized 2d N Etymology: probably from nice (I) + Nelly, Nellie, the name 1. : prude I m no nice Nelly Ethel Merman … Useful english dictionary
nice-nelly — adjective or nice nellie ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ Usage: often capitalized 2d N Etymology: nice Nelly or nice Nellie : overly delicate : prudish, euphemistic … Useful english dictionary
nice-nelly — /nuys nel ee/, adj. 1. characterized by prudishness or excessive modesty: The entrance of his nice nelly friend stopped the flow of risqué stories. 2. being a euphemism; euphemistic: nice nelly expressions. Also, nice Nelly. [1920 25, Amer.] * *… … Universalium
nice nelly — /nel ee/ 1. a person who professes or exhibits excessive modesty, prudishness, or the like: too much of a nice nelly to have any fun. 2. nice nellyism (def. 2). Also, nice Nelly. * * * … Universalium
nice-nelly — adjective Usage: often capitalized 2d N Etymology: from the name Nelly Date: 1925 1. marked by euphemism 2. prudish • nice nelly noun, often capitalized 2d N • nice nellyism noun, often capitalized 2d N … New Collegiate Dictionary
nice Nelly(1) — or[nice Nellie] {n.}, {informal} Someone who acts too good to be true; a prude; a prig. * /We took him for a nice Nelly when he wouldn t fight./ … Dictionary of American idioms
nice Nelly(2) — or[nice Nellie] {adj.}, {informal} Too careful not to say or do anything wrong or improper; too proper; prudish. * /Her nice Nelly behavior made her unpopular at school./ … Dictionary of American idioms
nice Nelly(1) — or[nice Nellie] {n.}, {informal} Someone who acts too good to be true; a prude; a prig. * /We took him for a nice Nelly when he wouldn t fight./ … Dictionary of American idioms
nice Nelly(2) — or[nice Nellie] {adj.}, {informal} Too careful not to say or do anything wrong or improper; too proper; prudish. * /Her nice Nelly behavior made her unpopular at school./ … Dictionary of American idioms
