rusty nail
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A has-been, a person whose fame or influence is rapidly declining.
Register: derogatory, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “rusty nail” mean?
A has-been, a person whose fame or influence is rapidly declining.
Is “rusty nail” formal or informal?
rusty nail is generally derogatory, slang.