nip and tuck
adjective or adverb
: being so close that the lead or advantage shifts rapidly from one opponent to another
Examples of nip and tuck in a Sentence
the race was nip and tuck to the very end, with the judges needing to look at photos of the finish three times
Recent Examples on the Web
The Beauty is about wanting to nip and tuck ourselves into better versions, but conflating that desire with actual scientific research is odd.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
Going far beyond traditional nip and tuck procedures, the results left commenters marveling at how the matriarch of the Kardashian clan looked younger than her own children.
—Patrick R. Crowley, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
An entire industry awaits to nip and tuck us.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Georgia’s 15-point loss last month in Gainesville was nip and tuck until 6-foot-11, 260-pound sophomore Somoto Cyril’s ejection for elbowing the face of Florida center Rueben Chinyelu with the Gators leading 21-19.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nip and tuck
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Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
Going far beyond traditional nip and tuck procedures, the results left commenters marveling at how the matriarch of the Kardashian clan looked younger than her own children.
—Patrick R. Crowley, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
An entire industry awaits to nip and tuck us.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Georgia’s 15-point loss last month in Gainesville was nip and tuck until 6-foot-11, 260-pound sophomore Somoto Cyril’s ejection for elbowing the face of Florida center Rueben Chinyelu with the Gators leading 21-19.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nip and tuck
Cite this Entry
“Nip and tuck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nip%20and%20tuck. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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nip and tuck
adjective or adverb
: so close that the advantage shifts rapidly from one contestant to another
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