nipping

Everyday

1. Giving a quick, small bite or pinch. tree →
2. (of cold) Biting or stinging, as in "a nipping wind". tree →
3. (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, informal) Going somewhere quickly for a short time, as in "nipping out to the shop". tree →
4. (with "in the bud") Stopping something before it grows bigger. tree →

In the lessons

Everyday: a puppy nipping fingers, a crab nipping toes; in British talk, "I'm just nipping to the loo". In stories, a nipping wind or frost tells the reader it is very cold. Phrases: "nip out", "nip in the bud", "nip and tuck" (very close, in a race).

Examples

• The puppy keeps nipping at my socks. tree →
• I'm just nipping out to the corner shop. (UK) tree →
• A crab was nipping at his toe. tree →
• The nipping wind made our ears red. tree →
• Mum is nipping to the post office, back in five minutes. tree →
• Stop the teasing now and nip it in the bud. tree →
• The frost was nipping the young plants. tree →

Note

Spelling: double p before -ing and -ed (nip, nipping, nipped). Related adjective "nippy" (UK: cold, chilly; also quick). Not the same as "napping" (sleeping briefly).