nipped, nipping

nipped, nipping
verb
1 (T) to bite someone or something lightly: The dog nipped my ankles.
2 (intransitive always + adv/prep) BrE informal to go somewhere quickly or for a short time
(+ in/down/out etc): I'm just nipping out to the shops - I'll be back in five minutes. | Another car nipped in (=nipped into a space) in front of me.
3 nip sth in the bud to prevent something from becoming a problem by stopping it as soon as it starts: If you feel a cold coming on try to nip it in the bud by keeping warm and getting a lot of sleep.
4 (T) BrE to suddenly and accidentally press something tightly between two edges or surfaces: He nipped his finger in the door.
nip sth off phrasal verb (T) to remove a small part of something, especially a plant, by pressing it tightly between your finger and thumb: She nipped off a dead flower. 2 noun (C)
1 the act or result of pressing something between two edges or biting it lightly
2 a small amount of strong alcoholic drink
(+ of): a nip of brandy
3 a nip in the air coldness in the air
4 nip and tuck AmE informal
a) if two competitors are nip and tuck in a race or competition, they are doing equally well;: neck and neck
 neck1 (11) : They were nip and tuck in the last lap of the race.
b) equally likely to happen or not happen: I might just make it to the airport, but it'll be nip and tuck.

Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Nipped — Nip Nip, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Nipped}, less properly {Nipt}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Nipping}.] [OE. nipen; cf. D. niipen to pinch, also knippen to nip, clip, pinch, snap, knijpen to pinch, LG. knipen, G. kneipen, kneifen, to pinch, cut off, nip, Lith.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Nipping — Nip Nip, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Nipped}, less properly {Nipt}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Nipping}.] [OE. nipen; cf. D. niipen to pinch, also knippen to nip, clip, pinch, snap, knijpen to pinch, LG. knipen, G. kneipen, kneifen, to pinch, cut off, nip, Lith.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • nip — I. verb (nipped; nipping) Etymology: Middle English nippen; akin to Middle Dutch nipen to pinch, Old Norse hnippa to prod Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. to catch hold of and squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points ; pinch …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • nip — nip1 [nip] vt. nipped, nipping [ME nippen, prob. < MLowG nippen or ON hnippa < IE * kneib (< base * ken , to scrape) > Gr kniptos, stingy] 1. to catch or squeeze between two surfaces, points, or edges; pinch or bite 2. to sever… …   English World dictionary

  • nip — nip1 /nip/, v., nipped, nipping, n. v.t. 1. to squeeze or compress tightly between two surfaces or points; pinch; bite. 2. to take off by pinching, biting, or snipping (usually fol. by off): He nipped off a piece of steak and gave it to the dog.… …   Universalium

  • nip — I. /nɪp / (say nip) verb (nipped, nipping) –verb (t) 1. to compress sharply between two surfaces or points; pinch or bite. 2. to affect sharply and painfully or injuriously, as cold does. 3. Nautical to secure (a rope) by holding it with a… …  

  • nip — Ⅰ. nip [1] ► VERB (nipped, nipping) 1) pinch, squeeze, or bite sharply. 2) (of cold or frost) cause pain or harm to. 3) Brit. informal go quickly. ► NOUN 1) …   English terms dictionary

  • nip — {{11}}nip (n.1) small measure of spirits, 1796, shortening of nipperkin (1670s) quantity of liquor of a half pint or less, possibly of Dutch or Low German origin and related to nip (v.). Reinforced by nip (n.2) on notion of fragment or bit… …   Etymology dictionary

  • swimming — swimmingness, n. /swim ing/, n. 1. the act of a person or thing that swims. 2. the skill or technique of a person who swims. 3. the sport of swimming. adj. 4. pertaining to, characterized by, or capable of swimming. 5. used in or for swimming:… …   Universalium

  • nip — [[t]nɪ̱p[/t]] nips, nipping, nipped 1) VERB: no passive If you nip somewhere, usually somewhere nearby, you go there quickly or for a short time. [BRIT, INFORMAL] [V adv/prep] Should I nip out and get some groceries?... [V adv/prep] Wayne is… …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”