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yips

American

[yips] / yɪps /

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.

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

Tseng wasn’t the first elite athlete to be derailed by 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

Brooklyn Moors battled a classic case of the yips.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 24, 2025

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

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

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