yips

American

[yips] / jɪps /

plural noun

Sports.

the sudden and unexplained loss of a motor skill used in a sport, as with a smooth golf swing reduced to a stuttering one, experienced by athletes who had previously mastered the required movements.

yips British

/ jɪps /

plural noun

informal (in sport, originally esp golf) nervous twitching or tension that destroys concentration and spoils performance

"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

Etymology

Origin of yips

First recorded in 1960–65; origin obscure

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.

See Examples For:

yips

Muchova began with more intent in set two, holding then taking advantage as Gauff's serving yips returned to ease 2-0 ahead.

From Barron's ● Jan. 25, 2026

The upside of putting with the opposite hand is that it can short-circuit the brain and rewire around the yips.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2025

Grip specialist Matt Daly paid the price as in came biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, who helped rival Aryna Sabalenka overcome her serving yips.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2025

Grip specialist Matt Daly paid the price as the American player brought in biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, who helped rival Aryna Sabalenka overcome her serving yips.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2025

This was reassuring, even if it did keep missing out the highest yips.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

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