The phrase "nail colors the mast" is spelled in accordance with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The word "nail" is spelled /neɪl/ with a long "a" sound, and "colors" is spelled /ˈkʌlərz/ with a short "u" sound. "The" is spelled /ði/ with a voiced "th" sound, and "mast" is spelled /mæst/ with a short "a" sound. This phrase is a play on words, using the phrase "nail to the mast" (referring to securing something firmly) and substituting "colors" to refer to painting the mast.