nip
word
/ˈnɪp/
nip
/nˈɪp/
nip
Definition
To bite or pinch something lightly, often in a playful or quick way. Also, it can mean to take a small sip of a drink.
Usage & Nuances
Often informal. Common with 'nip at' (bite lightly) and 'nip of' (a little alcohol). Can mean both a gentle bite (like a puppy) and a quick pinch. Not to confuse with 'nip in the bud' (to stop something early; idiom).
Spanish: mordisquear - pellizcar - sorbo pequeñoPortuguese (BR): beliscar - mordiscar - gole (pequeno de bebida)Portuguese (PT): beliscar - mordiscar - golinho (de bebida)Chinese (Simplified): 轻咬 - 掐 - 小口（饮品）Chinese (Traditional): 輕咬 - 掐 - 小口（飲品）Hindi: काटना (थोड़ा सा) - चुटकी लेना - घूंट (पीने का)Arabic: عضة خفيفة - قرصة - رشفة صغيرةBengali: হালকা কামড়ানো - চিমটে মারা - অল্প চুমুকRussian: слегка укусить - ущипнуть - глоток (алкоголя)Japanese: 軽く噛む - つねる - 少し飲むVietnamese: cắn nhẹ - véo nhẹ - nhấp (uống một ngụm nhỏ)Korean: 살짝 깨물다 - 꼬집다 - 한 모금Turkish: hafifçe ısırmak - çimdiklemek - bir yudum (alkol)Urdu: ہلکا سا کاٹنا - چٹکی لینا - چھوٹا سا گھونٹIndonesian: menggigit ringan - mencubit - seteguk kecil
Example Sentences
Let’s nip into the café for a quick coffee.
natural
The puppy likes to nip my fingers when we play.
basic
Careful, the cold wind will nip your cheeks.
basic
He took a nip of whiskey to warm up.
basic
If you nip a child, even jokingly, it might hurt.
natural
She always asks for just a nip when we pour wine at dinner.
natural