neck and neck

Idioms

So close that the advantage or lead shifts from one to the other or is virtually indistinguishable, as in The two are neck and neck in developing a new operating system for the computer. The term comes from horse racing, where the necks of two horses in competition appear to be side by side. [Early 1800s] For a synonym, see nip and tuck.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Dodgers do not concede the days of neck and neck will return.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

This two-horse race could be neck and neck by the time Roland Garros rolls around.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

In Berlin, it is neck and neck with the SPD and the Greens ahead of a state election in September.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

Paxton’s style ran neck and neck with Cornyn’s substance.

From Salon • Mar. 4, 2026

So the race between predator and prey remains exquisitely neck and neck.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023