Clip

/klɪp/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A device, typically made of metal or plastic, used for holding things together.

She used a clip to secure the papers together.

A short segment of video or audio.

The news program played a clip of the interview with the celebrity.

verb

To cut or trim something.

He decided to clip the hedges for a neater look.

To fasten or attach something using a clip.

She will clip the fabric to the board to keep it steady while she works.

To reduce or diminish, especially in quantity or speed.

The manager decided to clip the budget for the marketing department.

Middle English, from Old English 'clyppian', meaning to embrace or to hold.

clip one's wings

To limit someone's freedom or capabilities.

clip along

To move quickly or at a fast pace.

under someone's thumb

To be in a position of control over someone (not directly related but contextually similar).

clip the coupons

To gather the coupons from newspaper or flyers.

clipping

The act of cutting or trimming something.

clipped

Having the ends cut off or shortened.

beyond one's means

To financially overextend oneself (colloquially related).

To steal or take something.

He clipped a watch from the store.

To kill (slang in certain contexts).

He was clipped in the gang fight.