[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/nip/)

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# nip

verb (nip, nips, nipped, nipping); noun (a nip, nips)

«nip» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To give a small, quick bite or pinch: «The puppy nipped my finger». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nip/#m1)
2. (UK, Ireland, Australia, informal) To go somewhere quickly for a short time: «I'll nip to the shop». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nip/#m2)
3. (noun) A small bite or pinch. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nip/#m3)
4. (noun) A feeling of cold: «a nip in the air». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nip/#m4)
5. A small amount of a strong drink. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nip/#m5)

### In the lessons

In everyday British talk «nip out», «nip to the shops», «nip upstairs» mean to go quickly. In pet safety: puppies nip when playing; teach them gently. In weather: «There's a nip in the air» means it is getting cold, often in autumn. Phrase: «nip it in the bud» = stop a problem early. «Nip and tuck» = very close in a race.

### Examples

- The crab nipped my toe! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nip/#x1)
- Our puppy nips when he gets excited. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nip/#x2)
- I'll just nip to the shop for some milk. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nip/#x3)
- There's a nip in the air this morning. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nip/#x4)
- Can you nip upstairs and get my glasses? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nip/#x5)
- The teacher nipped the argument in the bud. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nip/#x6)
- The race was nip and tuck right to the end. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nip/#x7)

### Note

Double «p» before -ed/-ing: nipped, nipping. «Nip» is smaller and lighter than «bite». «Nip out» meaning «go quickly» is British and Australian; Americans say «run out» or «pop out».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «nip» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nip/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«nip» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/nip.html) on Mova free.