nick

Everyday

1. A nick is a small cut or notch on a surface or the skin. tree →
2. To nick something is to make a small cut in it. tree →
3. In British, Irish, Australian and New Zealand slang, to nick means to steal. tree →
4. "In the nick of time" means only just in time. tree →
5. "In good nick" (British slang) means in good condition. tree →
6. "Old Nick" is an old name for the Devil. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, a hero arrives "in the nick of time". In everyday British slang, "Someone nicked my bike!" means it was stolen; "the nick" can mean a police station or prison. In first aid, a small nick needs washing and a plaster.

Examples

• I got a nick on my finger from the paper. tree →
• Dad nicked his chin while shaving. tree →
• Someone nicked my bike from outside the shop. tree →
• The firefighters arrived in the nick of time. tree →
• The old car is still in good nick. tree →
• There's a nick in the edge of the table. tree →
• Nick is short for Nicholas. tree →

Note

Regular verb: nicked, nicking. Slang meanings (steal, police station) are informal; do not use them in formal writing. As a name, Nick has a capital N.