yips

[yips]

plural noun

Sports.

1. 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

/ jɪps /

plural noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of yips¹

First recorded in 1960–65; origin obscure

Word History and Origins

Origin of yips¹

C20: of unknown origin