Nip

English Meaning

A sip or small draught; esp., a draught of intoxicating liquor; a dram.

1. To seize and pinch or bite: The fish nipped the wader's toe.
2. To remove or sever by pinching or snipping: nipped off the plant leaf.
3. To bite or sting with the cold; chill.
4. To check or cut off the growth or development of: a conspiracy that was nipped in the bud by the police. See Synonyms at blast.
5. Slang To snatch up hastily.
6. Slang To take (the property of another) unlawfully; steal.
7. Chiefly British To move quickly; dart.
8. The act or an instance of seizing or pinching.
9. A pinch or snip that cuts off or removes a small part: He gave a small nip to each corner of the cloth.
10. The small bit or portion so removed: There were nips of construction paper all over the child's table.
11. A sharp, stinging quality, as of frosty air.
12. Severely sharp cold or frost.
13. A cutting remark.
14. A sharp, biting flavor; a tang: the nip of Mexican salsa.
15. A small amount of liquor.
16. To sip (alcoholic liquor) in small amounts: had been nipping brandy.
17. To take a sip or sips of alcoholic liquor: nips all day long.