nerve center
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A cluster of nerve cells governing a specific bodily process: A group of neurons in the brain or nervous system responsible for controlling a particular function, such as speech or movement. 2. A center that provides information and control: The most important place from which an organization, activity, or system is managed, coordinated, and controlled; a central hub.
Examples
- Noun (Biological):
- The brainstem contains the nerve center responsible for regulating basic functions like breathing and heart rate.
- Damage to the nerve center for motor control can result in paralysis.
- Noun (Organizational):
- The company's headquarters served as the nerve center for its global operations.
- During the crisis, the emergency operations room became the city's nerve center.
Advanced Usage
- "to act as the nerve center": To function as the primary coordinating point.
- The new software platform will act as the digital nerve center for the entire project.
- "the very nerve center of": Emphasizing that something is the absolute core or most critical control point.
- The server room is the very nerve center of our online business.
Variants and Related Words
- Nerve centre: The British English spelling of "nerve center." The meaning is identical.
- Control center: A place or system from which activities are directed and monitored. (Close synonym for the organizational meaning).
- Hub: A central and most important part of an area, system, or activity. (Close synonym for the organizational meaning).
- Headquarters (HQ): The main offices or center of operations of an organization. (A specific type of organizational nerve center).
Synonyms
- Core: The central or most important part.
- Heart: The vital center or source of something.
- Epicenter: The central point of a significant activity or situation.
- Command post: A headquarters from which military commands are issued. (Metaphorically used for organizational control).
Related Phrases
- Brain trust: A group of experts who provide advice and ideas. (Differs from "nerve center" as it implies advisory rather than direct control).
- Mission control: The center that directs a complex operation, like a space flight. (A specific, high-stakes example of a nerve center).
Related Idioms
- The brains behind (something): The person who plans and organizes an activity. (This refers to a person, while "nerve center" refers to a place or system).
- She was the brains behind the operation, while the situation room was its nerve center.
Noun
- a cluster of nerve cells governing a specific bodily process
- in most people the speech center is in the left hemisphere
- a center that provides information and control
- the nerve center of the diamond industry is in Amsterdam