Nip

/nɪp/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A small bite or pinch, usually taken from something.

She took a quick nip of her drink before speaking.

A small quantity of liquor.

He had a nip of whiskey to warm him up.

verb

To pinch, squeeze, or bite lightly.

The dog would nip at my heels when I tried to run past.

To take or consume a small amount of something.

He nipped a bit of chocolate while baking.

To affect or harm something, often used in the context of cold weather.

The frosty air nipped at my cheeks as I stepped outside.

Middle English nippen, of unknown origin.

nip at someone's heels

To follow very closely.

nip it in the bud

To stop something at an early stage.

nip and tuck

Very close; a tie or dead heat.

pinch

To squeeze between the thumb and finger.

bite

To cut or wound with the teeth.

snap

To break suddenly and sharply.

A small amount of liquor.

Let's have a nip of whiskey to warm up.

A quick drink, especially alcoholic.

We stopped for a quick nip before heading home.