Synonyms

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.

In just over a week, Liquid and Echo will be neck and neck, both single percentage points away from winning the title.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 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

After a neck and neck race with Korea, in which the Italians briefly took the lead but were overtaken on the penultimate lap, the hosts took silver and Fontana got her medal.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

Then they’re neck and neck, and the finish line is right in front of them.

From "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramée

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