nip and tuck

1. Closely contested; neck and neck: “It was nip and tuck there for a while, but our team finally pulled through.”

Idioms and Phrases

Very close so that the advantage or lead of competitors keeps shifting, as in It was nip and tuck whether they would deal with the bill before Congress adjourned . The precise allusion in this term has been lost. [Early 1800s] Also see neck and neck .

Example Sentences

They saw the light years ago and now many do a healthy nip-and-tuck business, especially on noses.

From The Daily Beast

But did she really deserve all the nip-and-tuck hate-tweeting?

From The Daily Beast

I knew right off it was a nip-and-tuck race, with the chances in favor of a man called Pringle getting nipped.

From Project Gutenberg

I pulled several gurgling dogs from their water-filled holes, each of them making nip-and-tuck efforts to climb out.

From Project Gutenberg

It was nip-and-tuck for the first half of that third period, with neither team making headway and the ball in air half the time.

From Project Gutenberg

Texas fought in the wild and savage style of the prairie, nip-and-tuck, go-as-you-please; and he was wild with anger.

From Project Gutenberg

For the first six innings, it was a nip-and-tuck battle between the two pitchers.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Nip And Tuck

What does nip and tuck mean?

Nip and tuck can describe a close race or contest, usually in sports. It can also refer to plastic surgery, especially minor cosmetic procedures on the face.

What are other forms of nip and tuck?

nip-tuck

How is nip and tuck pronounced?

[nip n tuhk] or [nip-tuhk]

What are other words related to nip and tuck?

neck and neck

Where does nip and tuck come from?

Nip and tuck first appeared as a term used to describe very close contests, primarily sporting races, and was equivalent to the horse-racing expression neck and neck. It was later applied for a wider variety of contests, including political races.

We know it’s documented in the 1840s, although its origins aren’t quite clear. It’s possible that the phrases rip and tuck and nip and tack merged, as all of these terms suggest a sort of jostling fitting for a close competition.

In the 20th century, a separate sense of nip and tuck emerged to refer to cosmetic plastic surgery, with nip meaning “incision” and tuck “pulling back skin,” which is involved in removing wrinkles. A fairly general term, nip and tuck can refer to face-lifts, liposuction, Botox, implants, and more.

Evidenced since at least the 1970s, nip and tuck was popularized by the 2003–10 TV drama Nip/Tuck. It’s about, you guessed it, plastic surgeons.

How is nip and tuck used in real life?

Nip and tuck is used in sports and political commentary for neck-and-neck contests.

Phil Crowe and Lee Williams split the @thundersportgb GP1 wins at @Oulton_Park in a nip-and-tuck battle…#racing #club #thundersport #OultonPark #racers #GP1 #superbike #superstock #race #TSGB https://t.co/akfxToec1j

— UK ClubSport (@UKClubSport) April 23, 2018

“Four days before a midterm election that features a nip-and-tuck Senate race in [Indiana], Mr. Trump is trying to quell fears of a protracted trade war with #China.” https://t.co/W5SjmRDTpx

— Léon Cornelissen (@Leonmwc) November 5, 2018

 

It’s also used to talk about someone’s latest cosmetic work … or to speculate on the procedures of famous people. Nip and tuck typically implies small plastic surgeries like facelifts. Among proponents of these types of procedures, it’s a casual term. Among detractors, it’s dismissive.

JK Rowling looks really good on #whodoyouthinkyouare. V good make up or a little nip and tuck??

— Carolanne Armstrong (@CarolanneMUA) August 17, 2011

Medical vacations. Would you travel for a quick nip and tuck? Details from a local travel exert at 7:35 am on WCFN.

— Anne Dill (@Anne_Dill) December 2, 2009

 

More examples of nip and tuck:

“There’s a growing trend in medical tourism where patients travel to exotic destinations for beauty-enhancing procedures. Bonus, it’s often significantly cheaper than having a lift, lipo or implants done back home. You go on a holiday, have a little nip and tuck elective surgery and recover in a spa-like environment, returning home looking refreshed and renewed. Talk about a transformative vacation.”

—Peter Simon, Destination Tips, May 2014