nip
/nɪp/
verb
- To pinch or squeeze something tightly, often with a quick, sharp motion.
- She nipped the fabric between her fingers to check its thickness.
- The crab nipped my toe when I stepped too close.
- Be careful not to nip the wire when you cut it.
- To bite or sting lightly, as an insect or small animal might.
- The puppy nipped at my heels while I was running.
- The horse nipped me gently on the shoulder as a greeting.
- A mosquito nipped my arm before I could swat it.
- To move quickly or go somewhere briefly, often to do something specific.
- He nipped out for a quick coffee before the meeting.
- I need to nip to the store for some milk.
- She nipped into the office to grab her keys.
- To stop or prevent something from developing or continuing, especially in the phrase 'nip in the bud'.
- The teacher nipped the argument in the bud by separating the students.
- Early treatment can nip the infection in the bud.
- We need to nip this problem in the bud before it gets worse.
Antonyms
noun
- A small, sharp pinch or bite.
- The crab gave my finger a painful nip.
- She gave his arm a playful nip.
- I felt a nip on my ankle and realized a bug had bitten me.
- A small amount of a strong alcoholic drink.
- A nip of rum is nice on a cold evening.
- She offered me a nip of her homemade brandy.
- He took a nip of whiskey to warm himself up.
- A sharp, cold feeling in the air or weather.
- The autumn nip made us shiver as we walked.
- I love the first nip of winter in the breeze.
- There's a nip in the air this morning, so wear a coat.