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

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# nipping

verb form (present participle of nip: nip, nips, nipped, nipping)

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

## Everyday

1. Giving a quick, small bite or pinch. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nipping/#m1)
2. (of cold) Biting or stinging, as in "a nipping wind". [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nipping/#m2)
3. (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, informal) Going somewhere quickly for a short time, as in "nipping out to the shop". [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nipping/#m3)
4. (with "in the bud") Stopping something before it grows bigger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nipping/#m4)

### In the lessons

Everyday: a puppy nipping fingers, a crab nipping toes; in British talk, "I'm just nipping to the loo". In stories, a nipping wind or frost tells the reader it is very cold. Phrases: "nip out", "nip in the bud", "nip and tuck" (very close, in a race).

### Examples

- The puppy keeps nipping at my socks. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nipping/#x1)
- I'm just nipping out to the corner shop. (UK) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nipping/#x2)
- A crab was nipping at his toe. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nipping/#x3)
- The nipping wind made our ears red. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nipping/#x4)
- Mum is nipping to the post office, back in five minutes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nipping/#x5)
- Stop the teasing now and nip it in the bud. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nipping/#x6)
- The frost was nipping the young plants. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/nipping/#x7)

### Note

Spelling: double p before -ing and -ed (nip, nipping, nipped). Related adjective "nippy" (UK: cold, chilly; also quick). Not the same as "napping" (sleeping briefly).

## On Mova

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