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nip

nip

11 7.8
A small amount of strong alcohol drunk quickly
  • noun
  • /nɪp/
translation icon : chupito
  • Beryl, pour me a nip of Three Star.
  • Take a nip
  • nip of whiskey
  • just a nip

Examples

  • Would you like a little nip from my flask to warm you up?

  • We might have time for a little nip of this, girls.

  • Shall I get you a little nip of something?

  • I had to have a little nip to calm myself down as soon as I was alone.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • We'll have a nip or two after I cook us some dinner.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • I'm gonna pour you a nip, gonna keep the cold off of you.

  • "You'll be warm enough with a nip of whiskey," he said.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • She went into the kitchen and poured herself a nip of brandy, swallowing it without tasting.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • He took a quick nip of whiskey before heading out into the cold.

  • At the party, she offered everyone a nip of her homemade punch.

Synonyms

shot
vsnip
179 2.5

A small amount of strong alcoholic drink meant to be drunk quickly

is typically taken quickly but not necessarily in a single swallow
dop
vsnip
  • South African
9.9

A small drink of alcohol often shared in South Africa

is a small quick serving used generally not only regionally or informally

Idioms

21 5.4

Stop something early before it becomes a bigger problem

nip and tuck
  • Informal
1 8.1

Very close and evenly matched until the end

in the nip
  • Informal
9.9

When the weather is cold outside

Compounds

1 8.3

A small surgery on the face that removes wrinkles and tightens skin

6.8

A small sharp cold feeling in the air that means winter is coming

How Much

glass
622 1.0
shot
179 2.5
nip
11 7.8
drop
349 1.0

Surface Forms

nip singular
nips plural

Etymology

Nip originally came from an old verb meaning 'to bite' or 'to pinch', and it was used for a small, quick mouth action much like a short sip. So a nip of alcohol is a tiny, quick drink.