neck and neck

Save This Word!

See synonyms for neck and neck on Thesaurus.com

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.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby neck and neck

Necessity is the mother of invention, Nechako, Neches, Necho, neck, neck and neck, Neckar, neckband, neckcloth, necked, Necker

How to use neck and neck in a sentence

The first-term senator is neck-and-neck with Rep. Cory Gardner in a campaign that may determine control of the Senate in 2015.
Democratic Senator Calls on CIA Director to Resign|Ben Jacobs|July 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Notre Dame and Alabama have been running neck-and-neck in football ever since.
Notre Dame vs. Alabama: College Football's Epic Rivalry|Allen Barra|January 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“If they are neck-and neck, Romney is going to win,” he predicted.
Behind the Scenes at Debate, a Surreal Trip Inside the Spin Zone|David Freedlander|October 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In what are expected to be tight three-way contests in Mississippi and Alabama today, Santorum and Romney are neck-and-neck.
Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum’s “Anti-Romney Vote” Hardly Registers|Ben Jacobs|March 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST

But even if Gingrich were to exit, the two would still be neck-and-neck.
Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum’s “Anti-Romney Vote” Hardly Registers|Ben Jacobs|March 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
From the very outset it seemed that Merriwell and Mansford were in for a neck-and-neck match.
Frank Merriwell's Races|Burt L. Standish
Then Andy ran neck-and-neck with the pilot train for several miles.
Airship Andy|Frank V. Webster
A thrilling rescue and a neck-and-neck race for the treasure followed.
Berry And Co.|Dornford Yates
That day I could have raced neck-and-neck with a shooting star!
The House of the Misty Star|Fannie Caldwell Macaulay
They were well in sight now; Nero the Second and Iris, racing neck-and-neck, drawing rapidly away from the others.
A Millionaire of Yesterday|E. Phillips Oppenheim

neck and neck

Words nearby neck and neck

Words related to neck and neck

How to use neck and neck in a sentence