bicycle clip

1 2.8

A small metal or plastic clip you wear on your ankle to keep trousers out of the bicycle chain

noun
/ˈbaɪsɪkəl klɪp/

: clip para bicicleta

I bought some new bicycle clips for my ride.

Examples

Many cyclists prefer bicycle clips over rolling up their pants.
A pair of bicycle clips can prevent accidents caused by loose clothing.
He wore bicycle clips to keep his trousers out of the chain while cycling to work.
He fastened the bicycle clip securely around his ankle.
Before riding his bike, he attached the bicycle clip to his ankle to keep his trousers safe.
She always wears a bicycle clip when cycling to prevent her pant legs from getting caught in the chain.
He quickly fastened his bicycle clip before setting off on his cycling adventure.

Synonyms

clip

vsbicycle clip

152 1.3

A small device that holds things together, like papers or hair

is a specific ankle-worn form used to stop pants catching the chain

trouser clip

vsbicycle clip

5.3

A clip worn around the ankle to stop trousers getting caught in the bike chain

has identical meaning but uses a different common name

Surface Forms

bicycle clip singular

bicycle clips plural

Morphology

bicycle + clip

The meaning 'a clip used with a bicycle to fasten or secure (e.g., around the ankle to keep trousers away from the chain)' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'bicycle' (a two-wheeled vehicle) with 'clip' (a small fastening object). This simple noun+noun composition is common cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the general referent and function.

Etymology

Bicycle clip comes from a small metal or plastic clip that cyclists put around the bottom of their trousers when they ride a bicycle, so the cloth does not get caught in the chain. So, it means a little clip used to 'keep trousers out of the chain'.