nip¹ Definition
nip (nip)
transitive verb nipped, nip′·ping
- to catch or squeeze between two surfaces, points, or edges; pinch or bite
- to sever (shoots, buds, etc.) by pinching or clipping
- to check the growth or development of
- to have a painful or injurious effect on because of cold frost nipped the plants
- Slang
- to snatch
- to steal
Etymology: ME nippen, prob. < MLowG nippen or ON hnippa < IE *kneib- (< base *ken-, to scrape) > Gr kniptos, stingy
intransitive verb
- to give a nip or nips
- Brit., Informal to move quickly or nimbly: with off, away, along, etc.
noun
- the act of nipping; pinch; bite
- a piece nipped off; small bit
- a stinging quality, as in cold or frosty air
- stinging cold; frost
- a stinging remark
- a strong flavor; tang
nip¹ Idioms
nip and tuck
☆so close, even, or critical as to leave the outcome in doubt; neck and neck
nip² Definition
nip (nip)
noun
a small drink of liquor; dram; sip
Etymology: prob. contr. < nipperkin < Du nippertje, small measure for liquors < base of nippen, to sip, prob. akin to nip
transitive verb, intransitive verb nipped, nip′·ping
to drink (liquor) in nips
Nip Definition
Nip (nip)
noun
Slang a Japanese: a term of contempt or derision
Etymology: < Nip(ponese)
nip Synonyms
nip Synonyms
nip Usage Examples
Object
- waist: Bust darts and nipped waist with matching fabric belt.
- downstairs: I've just nipped downstairs to put some swingarm bobbins onto the massive swingarm.
- ball: Neilson's timing was perfect as he nipped the ball away from the striker's toe just as he prepared to pull the trigger.
Adjective modifier
- nasty: There are plenty of places where the course can give you a nasty nip.
- quick: A quick nip up to Blackheath Standard for a spot of shopping.
Adjective complement
past: Behind, Gafurov nipped past Woodward on the third lap to limit the damage to an even split of the points.
Modifying Another Word
inside: I liked the line " Welcome to my mind, nip inside, you're welcome in " .
Noun used with modifier
- frost: He was bundled into a snow hole for shelter and was subsequently successfully treated for ' frost nip ' .
- cat: I told Amanda to get out the cat nip.
Followed by a transitive particle
- down: Once you've sorted a trip the first time, the second trip is just like nipping down the road... .
- around: Full 2005 Ranges | 2004 Ranges You want to shop, nip around the corner or take the dog to the park?
Preposition: in
- bud: Problems can be nipped in the bud by early contact.
- air: Fresh and a little snow, a nip in the air.
- front: We get off the train and he nips in front of me to dash down the stairs.
Followed by an intransitive particle
- across: Then later on we could nip across to Beverley to see Flossie's house.
- over: Then we nipped over to Hywel's parents ' house up the road to let them know what was happening.
- off: I guess we can all nip off to the pub now.
- through: Adrian needed no invitation to capitalize on their errors and nipped through to take second place and a valuable 18 points.
- down: All I have to do is nip down to the embassy myself the following day to get my passport stamped.
- along: I'll maybe nip along to HMV tomorrow to see what's up.

