nip

[ nip ]

/ nɪp /

verb (used with object), nipped, nip·ping.

to squeeze or compress tightly between two surfaces or points; pinch; bite.

to 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.

Informal. to steal or pilfer.

Nautical.

(of ice) to press (a ship) from opposite sides.
to seize (a taut rope) to another rope.

verb (used without object), nipped, nip·ping.

Chiefly British Slang. to leave stealthily; sneak away; flee (often followed by away).

noun

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).

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Idioms for 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

1350–1400; Middle English nyppe to pinch < Old Norse hnippa to poke, thrust

SYNONYMS FOR nip

4 freeze, bite, pierce, cut, chill.

Words nearby nip

niobous, niobrara, niort, nios, niosh, nip, nip and tuck, nip curn, nip in the bud, nip-up, nipa

Definition for nipped (2 of 2)

nip²

[ nip ]

/ nɪp /

noun

a small drink of alcoholic liquor; sip: a person who relishes an occasional nip.

Chiefly British. split(def 27).

verb (used with or without object), nipped, nip·ping.

to drink (alcoholic liquor) in small sips, especially repeatedly.

Origin of nip

1690–1700; < Dutch nippen to sip; in def. 2, short for earlier nipperkin vessel holding half-pint or less

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for nipped

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|DAILY BEAST
By saying that the parties have agreed that he and he alone may be trusted, Kerry has nipped that in the bud.
The Case For A Less-Guarded Optimism|Emily L. Hauser|July 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
Last week, the Vikings nipped the Packers with a field goal as time expired.
A Guide to the NFL’s Wild-Card Weekend|Sujay Kumar|January 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST

He should have been charged at least with manslaughter…The ones who could have nipped this in the bud were the Sanford police.
Crime Watch Groups Viewed Suspiciously After Trayvon Martin Killing|John Avlon|March 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Half-way across the yard the yellow dog caught him and nipped him.
Joe Wilson and His Mates|Henry Lawson
Supposing that he refused—a promising career might be nipped in the bud; would, undoubtedly, be nipped in the bud.
The Matador of the Five Towns and Other Stories|Arnold Bennett
"Unless they move on the jump I'll have the bunch of them nipped before long," Old Gripper declared.
Frank Merriwell's Pursuit|Burt L. Standish
For Bombay could have by a word, as my captain, nipped all manifestation of bad temper at the outset, had he been so disposed.
How I Found Livingstone|Henry M. Stanley
We others went, Oswald lingering last, and then in an instant Dora had nipped out of the room and banged the door and locked it.
New Treasure Seekers|E. (Edith) Nesbit

British Dictionary definitions for nipped (1 of 3)

Nip

/ (nɪp) /

noun

slang a derogatory word for a Japanese

Word Origin for Nip

C20: short for Nipponese

British Dictionary definitions for nipped (2 of 3)

nip¹

/ (nɪp) /

verb nips, nipping or nipped (mainly tr)

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 coldthe 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

noun

the act of nipping; a pinch, snip, etc

a frosty or chilly quality
severe frost or coldthe first nip of winter

a small piece or quantityhe 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

Word Origin for nip

C14: of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse hnippa to prod

British Dictionary definitions for nipped (3 of 3)

nip²

/ (nɪp) /

noun

a small drink of spirits; dram

mainly British a measure of spirits usually equal to one sixth of a gill

verb nips, nipping or nipped

to drink (spirits), esp habitually in small amounts

Word Origin for nip

C18: shortened from nipperkin a vessel holding a half-pint or less, of uncertain origin; compare Dutch nippen to sip

Collins 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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WORD OF THE DAY

nip

verb (used with object), nipped, nip·ping.

verb (used without object), nipped, nip·ping.

noun