nip and tuck
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.12 in modern English
19
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
2
Syllables
9
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
So evenly matched that the advantage shifts from one to the other, and the outcome is uncertain.
adv
With the advantage of changing hands, or shifting back and forth among the available alternatives.
noun
Minor cosmetic surgery that tightens loose skin.
Example Sentences
- "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."
- "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."
- "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."
- "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."
- "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."
- ""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.""
Etymology
Inflected Forms
more nip and tuck (comparative)
most nip and tuck (superlative)
nip-and-tuck (alternative)
nip and tucks (plural)
nips and tucks (plural)