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to nil

to nil

8.1
To score zero points in a game
  • verb
  • /nɪl/
  • UK
translation icon : dejar a cero
  • Her attempts to score were met with strong defense, leaving her with nil points by the end of the game.

Examples

  • While progress toward implementing those agreements was slow to nil in 1992, hopes were raised in Korea and in the region.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The team ended the season with a score of nil, failing to win any matches.

  • In the final game, the home team managed to keep their opponents to nil throughout the match.

Antonyms

842 1.3

The number of points earned in a game or test

win
792 1.0

A victory in a contest or game

Compounds

Ipomoea nil
  • Specialized
9.9

An annual climbing plant with bright, ruffled flowers often grown in gardens

Surface Forms

nil infinitive
nilled past
nilled past participle
nilling present participle
nils third person singular

Etymology

Nil as a verb (often nilled) comes from the noun nil and Latin nihil 'nothing', so to 'nil' an opponent is to leave them with 'nothing' — zero points.