notch

Everyday

1. A small V-shaped cut in an edge or surface. tree →
2. A level or step on a scale: turn the heat up a notch. tree →
3. (verb) To make a notch in something. tree →
4. (verb, informal) notch up: to achieve or score: notch up a win. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life you tighten your belt by a notch, or turn the volume «up a notch». In history and stories, people cut notches in sticks to count days (tally sticks). In sport, teams «notch up» wins. Phrases: up a notch, top-notch (excellent), notch up.

Examples

• He tightened his belt by one notch. tree →
• Turn the music down a notch, please. tree →
• The prisoner cut a notch in the wall for each day. tree →
• Our team notched up another win. tree →
• The cake was top-notch! tree →
• Cut a small notch in the stick to hold the string. tree →
• The tally stick had twelve notches. tree →
• He took the bow, and fitting an arrow to the notch, took careful aim and let fly. tree →

Note

Countable: notches (add -es). «Top-notch» (informal) = excellent. In maths history, notches on bones and sticks were an early way of counting (tally marks).