PhrasesHub

Nip and tuck

    Definitions

      • very close, with little difference
        Describing a situation where two things or people are very closely matched or evenly balanced, often in competition

      • undergoing small changes
        Referring to a situation where something is constantly being adjusted or changed in small increments, often to maintain a competitive advantage

    Examples of Nip and tuck

    • The celebrity's face is constantly being nipped and tucked in order to maintain her youthful appearance.

      The idiom "nip and tuck" in this context refers to the cosmetic surgery procedures, such as liposuction and facelifts, that are being repeatedly done to the celebrity's body to keep it looking slim and toned.

    • Because the company is facing tough competition, they've been nipping and tucking at their expenses to cut costs and stay profitable.

      The idiom "nip and tuck" is being used metaphorically in this context to describe the process of making small, strategic adjustments to a company's expenses in order to reduce costs and improve profitability. This could include things like cutting back on advertising, reducing employee perks, or negotiating better deals with suppliers.

    • The actor's career has been a long series of nips and tucks, with a few major hits offset by several flops.

      The idiom "nips and tucks" is being used here to describe the ups and downs of the actor's career, with some successes (the major hits) being balanced out by some failures (the flops).

    • The politician's position on the issue has been nipped and tucked a few times, but he's still holding firm to his original stance.

      In this context, the idiom "nipped and tucked" is being used metaphorically to describe the process by which a politician might adjust his position on a particular issue in response to new information or changing circumstances, but ultimately remains committed to his original stance. This could involve making small, strategic adjustments to his position (the "nips") in order to address specific concerns, while still staying true to his overall philosophy (the "tucks").

    • The actor's face has been nipped and tucked over the years to keep him looking youthful.

      This idiom refers to the cosmetic procedure of "nips and tucks" that is commonly done on the face to remove excess skin and tighten the skin, leaving the person looking more youthful and refreshed. In this example, the idiom is used to describe the process of cosmetic surgery that a celebrity or actor may undergo in order to maintain a youthful appearance over time.

    • The company's strategy needs to be nipped and tucked to stay competitive in the market.

      In this example, the idiom is used metaphorically to describe the need to make small adjustments or improvements to a strategy or plan in order to make it more effective or successful. It suggests that fine-tuning or fine-adjustments are necessary to remain competitive in a market environment.

    • The project faced some nips and tucks along the way, but it was completed successfully.

      Here, the idiom is used to describe the need for minor alterations or refinements during the course of a project. It suggests that the project was not perfect from the outset, but required some small changes or adjustments to be completed successfully.

    • The politician's stance on the issue has been nipped and tucked over time as circumstances have changed.

      This example uses the idiom to describe the process by which a person's perspective or position on an issue may change over time, due to new information or changing circumstances. It suggests that the person's stance or viewpoint has been adjusted or modified through this process.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "nip and tuck" is used to describe situations where things are closely matched or undergoing small changes. It can be used to talk about close competitions or races, as well as ongoing adjustments or modifications to maintain an advantage.

    Origin of "Nip and tuck"

    The origin of the phrase "nip and tuck" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the world of horse racing. In close races, horses would "nip" at each other, meaning they would try to get ahead by a small margin, and "tuck" in behind the leader to conserve energy. Over time, the phrase came to be used in a more general sense to describe any situation where things are closely matched or undergoing small changes. The idiom has since become a common part of the English language, used in various contexts to convey the idea of close competition or constant adjustments.