nip
1to take off by pinching, biting, or snipping (usually followed by off): He nipped off a piece of steak and gave it to the dog.
to check in growth or development.
to affect sharply and painfully or injuriously, as a very cold temperature: a cold wind that nips the fingers.
Informal. to snatch away suddenly.
Informal. to defeat (an opponent) by a very close margin; edge out.
Informal. to steal or pilfer.
Nautical.
(of ice) to press (a ship) from opposite sides.
to seize (a taut rope) to another rope.
Chiefly British Slang. to leave stealthily; sneak away; flee (often followed by away).
an act of nipping; a pinch or small bite: The dog took several nips at our heels.
a biting quality, as in cold or frosty air: There's a nip in the air this morning.
sharp cold; a sharp touch of frost: The trees had felt the first nip of winter.
a sharp or biting remark.
a biting taste or tang, especially in some cheese.
a small bit or quantity of anything: a nip of bread to stave off hunger.
Nautical.
an abrupt turn or twist in a rope.
a part of a rope or chain bound by a seizing or nipper.
Usually nips. nipper (def. 2).
Idioms about nip
nip and tuck, with each competitor equaling or closely contesting the speed, scoring, or efforts of the other: It was nip and tuck as to which sailboat would reach port first.
nip in the bud. bud1 (def. 13).
Origin of nip
1Other words for nip
Other definitions for nip (2 of 3)
a small drink of alcoholic liquor; sip: a person who relishes an occasional nip.
Chiefly British. split (def. 27).
to drink (alcoholic liquor) in small sips, especially repeatedly.
Origin of nip
2Other definitions for Nip (3 of 3)
a contemptuous term used to refer to a Japanese person.
Origin of Nip
3usage note For Nip
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use nip in a sentence
The coat, with fitted bodice, nipped-in waist, and full skirt, created a familiar silhouette for Kate.
Luckily, as filming wrapped up no one had been nipped, and the penguins we safely returned to their carriers.
‘The Puppy Bowl’: The Super Bowl’s Fiercest Rival | Lori-Lee Emshey | February 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBy saying that the parties have agreed that he and he alone may be trusted, Kerry has nipped that in the bud.
Raf Simons's nipped waists displayed a range of Sixties references.
Christian Dior's Whimsical Fall Show Was Inspired By Andy Warhol | Liza Foreman | March 1, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTLast week, the Vikings nipped the Packers with a field goal as time expired.
He nipped the crucible four inches beneath the rim, testing the grip by lifting it just a couple of inches.
Balsamo, The Magician | Alexander DumasIt made me furious, too, to see my ambition nipped with the frost of a possible veto from Miss Smawl.
In Search of the Unknown | Robert W. ChambersThe bullet nipped the ear of the pony, and cut through the coat of Warren Starr; grazing his shoulder in the passage.
The Young Ranchers | Edward S. EllisOne pair of sharp beaks caught him on the tip of his nose and made him squeal, and another nipped the back of his head.
Bumper, The White Rabbit | George Ethelbert WalshI knew right off it was a nip-and-tuck race, with the chances in favor of a man called Pringle getting nipped.
Motor Matt's Mystery | Stanley R. Matthews
British Dictionary definitions for nip (1 of 3)
/ (nɪp) /
to catch or tightly compress, as between a finger and the thumb; pinch
(often foll by off) to remove by clipping, biting, etc
(when intr, often foll by at) to give a small sharp bite (to): the dog nipped at his heels
(esp of the cold) to affect with a stinging sensation
to harm through cold: the frost nipped the young plants
to check or destroy the growth of (esp in the phrase nip in the bud)
slang to steal
(intr; foll by along, up, out, etc) British informal to hurry; dart
slang, mainly US and Canadian to snatch
the act of nipping; a pinch, snip, etc
a frosty or chilly quality
severe frost or cold: the first nip of winter
a small piece or quantity: he went out for a nip of fresh air
a sharp flavour or tang
archaic a taunting remark
nip and tuck
mainly US and Canadian neck and neck
informal plastic surgery performed for cosmetic reasons
put the nips in Australian and NZ slang to exert pressure on someone, esp in order to extort money
Origin of nip
1British Dictionary definitions for nip (2 of 3)
/ (nɪp) /
a small drink of spirits; dram
mainly British a measure of spirits usually equal to one sixth of a gill
to drink (spirits), esp habitually in small amounts
Origin of nip
2British Dictionary definitions for Nip (3 of 3)
/ (nɪp) /
slang a derogatory word for a Japanese
Origin of Nip
3Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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