tin snips

plural noun

: small shears designed for cutting sheet metal

The metal I cut with tin snips, file and form by hand with clamps and pliers.

—Laura Brandreth

Tin snips can easily trim the aluminum frames to fit accurately.

—Anthony Joseph

Examples of tin snips in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most sheets can be trimmed to size with tin snips and secured with silicone caulk or screws; just wear gloves when cutting, since the sharp edges can nick bare skin. — Lauren Murphy, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above