Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
nip and tuck en · ADJ
Pronunciation
Etymology
Of unknown origin. First use appears c. 1845, in the publication American Whig Review.
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) So evenly matched that the advantage shifts from one to the other, and the outcome is uncertain.
Bang! One saddle empty. Bang! another one. Bang—bang, and I bagged two. Well, it was nip and tuck with us, and I knew it.
1889, Mark Twain [pseudonym; Samuel Langhorne Clemens], A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, New York, N.Y.: Charles L. Webster & Company, →OCLC:We broke away toward the north, the tribe howling on our track. Across the open spaces we gained, and in the brush they caught up with us, and more than once it was nip and tuck.
1906–1907, Jack London, chapter XII, in Before Adam:It was nip and tuck with me between holding on to my stock and being sold out; but by great industry and prudence I managed to keep a little ahead and my mouth above water.
1867 September, C. H. Webb, “My Mexican Mines”, in Harper's Magazine, volume XXXV, number CCVIII, page 461:1951, Howdy Doody's Christmas
Well, it was nip and tuck, but everything worked out fine. Santa Claus got there in time to bring toys to all the boys and girls.
Forms
Relateds
neck and neck
wikipedia: American Whig Review
nip and tuck en · ADV
Pronunciation
Etymology
Of unknown origin. First use appears c. 1845, in the publication American Whig Review.
Meanings
-
With the advantage of changing hands, or shifting back and forth among the available alternatives.
A man told me that they was both admitted to practice in the S'preme Court in '39, on the same day, sir. Then you know they was nip an' tuck after the same young lady.
1901 May, Winston Churchill, chapter V, in The Crisis, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:Obama's road to the White House was far from assured during the 2008 primary season when he ran nip and tuck with McCain in early Gallup Poll trial heats for the general election.
2009, Alec M. Gallup, Frank Newport, Gallup Poll: Public Opinion 2008, page 379:"I am glad I happened to reach him," he said, in an effort to relieve her embarrassment. "We had it nip and tuck," he added, lightly. "My lungs are lined with dust."
1913, Will N. Harben, The Desired Woman:
Forms
Translations (11)
ko 비금비금 (evenly matched with vacillating advantage) · ko 막상막하 (evenly matched with vacillating advantage) · it testa a testa (evenly matched with vacillating advantage) · fr coude à coude (evenly matched with vacillating advantage) · ko 삐까삐까 (evenly matched with vacillating advantage) · ru плечо́м к плечу́ (evenly matched with vacillating advantage) · pl łeb w łeb (evenly matched with vacillating advantage) · ru ноздря́ в ноздрю́ (evenly matched with vacillating advantage) · fi nipin napin (evenly matched with vacillating advantage) · fi tasaväkisesti (evenly matched with vacillating advantage) · ru вро́вень (evenly matched with vacillating advantage)
wikipedia: American Whig Review
nip and tuck en · NOUN
Pronunciation
Etymology
Of unknown origin. First use appears c. 1845, in the publication American Whig Review.
Meanings
-
Minor cosmetic surgery that tightens loose skin.
I watch the show where Paris Hilton and Nikki Ritchie^([sic]) live the simple life. […] It's makeovers, nip and tucks, and shopping sprees.
2007, Joseph Natoli, This Is a Picture and Not the World: Movies and a Post-9/11 America, SUNY Press, →ISBN, page 252:
Forms
Coordinates
tummy tuck
Synonyms
rhytidectomy · facelift
Translations (6)
ru ли́фтинг (skin-tightening cosmetic surgery) · it ritidoplastica (skin-tightening cosmetic surgery) · ru подтя́жка ко́жи (skin-tightening cosmetic surgery) · pl lifting (skin-tightening cosmetic surgery) · it ritidectomia (skin-tightening cosmetic surgery) · it lifting (skin-tightening cosmetic surgery)
wikipedia: American Whig Review