driveanailwhereitwillgo (third-person singular simple presentdrives a nail where it will go,present participledriving a nail where it will go,simple pastdrove a nail where it would go,past participledriven a nail where it would go)

1. (archaic) To take apragmatic orexpedientapproach, rather than theideal.
   • 1857, Thomas Hughes,Tom Brown's School Days:

     "Well, I think East is right," said Arthur; "I can't see but what it's right to do the best you can, though it mayn't be the best absolutely. Every man isn't born to be a martyr."
     "Of course, of course," said East; "but he's on one of his pet hobbies. — How often have I told you, Tom, that you mustdrive a nail where it'll go."

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