What do the following words have in common?

FIST
FOIL
WIRE
TACKS
SPOON
WATCH
NERVES
BALLOON

Answer:

Each word can be preceded by a metal to make a common phrase:

IRON FIST
ALUMINUM FOIL
COPPER WIRE
BRASS TACKS
SILVER SPOON
GOLD WATCH
STEEL NERVES
LEAD BALLOON