drawing-pin

An artist uses a drawing-pin to secure a sketch to the drafting board.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A short pin with a broad, flat head: "drawing-pin" refers to a type of pin used for fastening paper to a surface, such as a drawing board or wall, by pressing the head with the thumb.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She used a drawing-pin to attach the poster to the corkboard. (A pin with a flat head for pressing into soft materials.)
  • The artist secured his sketch to the easel with a drawing-pin. (A pin designed for holding drawing paper in place.)

Advanced Usage

• "to stick a drawing-pin into a noticeboard": to insert a drawing-pin into a soft surface to hold a piece of paper.
  • He stuck a drawing-pin into the noticeboard to display the announcement. (He used the pin to fasten the paper securely.)

Variants and Related Words

• Drawing pin (n): a common alternative spelling or compound form, often without the hyphen.
  • Please hand me a drawing pin for this map. (A pin for fastening paper.)

Synonyms

• Thumbtack: a similar pin with a broad head, pressed in with the thumb (common in American English).
• Pushpin: a pin with a flat, often coloured head, used for the same purpose.

Related Idioms

Phrasal Verbs