nip
[verb]
Synonyms: pinch, bite, squeeze, tweak
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[noun]
Synonyms: dram, draught, drop, mouthful, shot (informal), sip, snifter (informal)

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Related Words: arrest, check, press, squeeze, balk, frustrate, thwart

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. nip¹ /nɪp/ verb (past tense and past participle nipped, present participle nipping)
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Middle Low German; Origin: nipen]

1. [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] British English informal to go somewhere quickly or for a short time Synonym : pop:
Have we time to nip down the pub for a quick drink?
Another car nipped in (=moved quickly into a space) in front of me.
I’ve got to nip home and change my clothes.

2. [intransitive and transitive] to bite someone or something lightly:
She gently nipped the lobe of his ear.
nip at
The fish swam all around her and nipped at her legs.

3. nip something in the bud to prevent something from becoming a problem by stopping it as soon as it starts:
Try to nip this kind of bad behaviour in the bud.

4. [transitive] British English to suddenly and quickly press something tightly between two fingers, edges, or surfaces ⇒ pinch:
Sally nipped her cheeks to make them look less pale.
He nipped his finger in the door.

5. [intransitive and transitive] written if cold weather or the wind nips at part of your body or at a plant, it hurts or damages it
nip at
The frost nipped at our fingers.
nip something ↔ off phrasal verb
to remove a small part of something, especially a plant, by pressing it tightly between your finger and thumb:
She nipped off a dead flower.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. nip² noun [countable]
[Sense 1, 4-5: Date: 1500-1600; Origin: ⇒ nip¹]
[Sense 3: Date: 1900-2000; Origin: Nipponese 'Japanese' (19-21 centuries), from Japanese Nippon 'Japan']
[Sense 2: Date: 1700-1800; Origin: Probably from nipperkin 'small container for alcoholic drink' (17-19 centuries), probably from Dutch or Low German]

1. the act or result of biting something lightly or pressing something between two fingers, edges, or surfaces:
His dog gave me a painful nip on the leg.

2. a small amount of strong alcoholic drink
nip of
a nip of brandy

3. a nip in the air coldness in the air

4. nip and tuck informal
a) American English equally likely to happen or not happen:
We made it to the airport, but it was nip and tuck.
b) American English if two competitors are nip and tuck in a race or competition, they are doing equally well Synonym : neck and neck:
The fourth quarter was nip and tuck, but the Bulls won 92–90.
c) a medical operation on your face or stomach that is done to make you look younger or thinner:
I might consider getting a nip and tuck in a few years' time.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲