nip and tuck

English

Two racers going nip and tuck.

Alternative forms

• nip-and-tuck

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU):

  (file)

Adjective

nip and tuck (comparative more nip and tuck, superlative most nip and tuck)

1. (idiomatic) So evenly matched that the advantage shifts from one to the other, and the outcome is uncertain.
   • 1867, C.H. Webb, My Mexican Mines, at Harper's Magazine, page 461

     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.

   • 1906, Jack London, Before Adam, chapter 12

     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.

See also

• neck and neck

Adverb

nip and tuck (comparative more nip and tuck, superlative most nip and tuck)

1. With the advantage changing hands, or shifting back and forth among the available alternatives.

Translations

evenly matched with vacillating advantage

• Italian: testa a testa
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Russian: вро́вень (ru) (vróvenʹ), плечо́м к плечу́ (plečóm k plečú), ноздря́ в ноздрю́ (nozdrjá v nozdrjú)

Noun

nip and tuck (plural nip and tucks or nips and tucks)

1. Minor cosmetic surgery that tightens loose skin.

Synonyms

• rhytidectomy
• facelift

Translations

skin-tightening cosmetic surgery

• Italian: ritidectomia (it) f, lifting (it) m
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Russian: ли́фтинг (ru) m (lífting), подтя́жка ко́жи f (podtjážka kóži)