nip and tuck

nip and tuck

1. noun A cosmetic surgery procedure, often (but not always) one performed on the face. Many women consider getting a nip and tuck as they age, but I think my wrinkles make me look distinguished.
2. noun A minor change to improve something, often the appearance of something. The house just needs a little nip and tuck before it is ready to go up for sale.
3. adjective Of a contest or competition, having a very close margin between the competitors. This race has been nip and tuck, and we won't know who has won until the final vote is counted.
4. adverb Very closely competing; head-to-head. The two teams went nip and tuck down to the final seconds of the game.
See also: and, nip, tuck
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

nip and tuck

Fig. almost even; almost tied. The horses ran nip and tuck for the first half of the race. Then my horse pulled ahead. In the football game last Saturday, both teams were nip and tuck throughout the game.
See also: and, nip, tuck
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

nip and tuck

Very close so that the advantage or lead of competitors keeps shifting, as in It was nip and tuck whether they would deal with the bill before Congress adjourned. The precise allusion in this term has been lost. [Early 1800s] Also see neck and neck.
See also: and, nip, tuck
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

nip and tuck

INFORMAL
In a competition or contest, if it is nip and tuck, it is impossible to say who will win because both sides are performing equally well. It was nip and tuck throughout as the players struck the ball with equal passion. It was nip-and-tuck from start to finish. Note: One explanation for this expression is that it comes from sword-fighting, where a `nip' is a light touch and a `tuck' a heavier blow. Another is that it comes from horse racing, where it means the same as `neck and neck'.
See also: and, nip, tuck
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

nip and tuck

very closely contested; neck and neck.
The phrase, which emerged in the US in the 19th century, probably came from the field of sewing or tailoring.
2002 Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society The rough and tumble Senate race is generally regarded as nip and tuck, likely to be decided by a close margin
See also: and, nip, tuck
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

nip and tuck

mod. so close as to be almost the same; neck and neck. They ran nip and tuck all the way to the finish line, but Tom won the race.
See also: and, nip, tuck
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

nip and tuck

A very close contest. The ultimate source of this phrase has been lost, but it appears to have originated in nineteenth-century America. An early example is, “It will be like the old bitch and the rabbit, nip and tack [sic] every jump” (Quarter Race in Kentucky, 1836). It is used in the same way as neck and neck.
See also: and, nip, tuck
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • angle
  • angling
  • fire and brimstone
  • high
  • high, wide, and handsome
  • wear (one's) apron high
  • look alike
  • bummer
References in periodicals archive
It took most of the summer to get Nip and Tuck to wear a yoke and pull a tire.
It was certainly nip and tuck when Everton came to St James' Park last season.
Have you been tempted to log on to 'Lift Magic' - the new website which allows you to visualize how you would look with a bit of nip and tuck?
Early on it was nip and tuck and midway through the opening half the scores were tied at 10-10.
Why don't you go the whole hog and get a nip AND tuck? In this Ken and Barbie World, British men and women spend more than pounds 150m a year on cosmetic surgery.And have you seen some of the results?
Jeffrey is predicting a "nip and tuck" title race with Big Two rivals Glentoran and Crusaders who went top of the division on goal difference on Saturday.
It was nip and tuck all the way as the Welsh youngsters mounted a determined bid to avenge their home defeat last year.
When you see a celeb mum emerging from hospital with a flat tum, you can't help wondering if she's had a nip and tuck as well as a nipper.
NEWCASTLE is Britain's nip and tuck capital - with more plastic surgery carried out there than anywhere else.
It was nip and tuck until the very end before Bennett struck.
What is it with women who become so insecure that they just have to have a nip and tuck.
"Me and Louis could very well be booking in for a two-for-one nip and tuck.
Delighted The 54-year-old opted for the nip and tuck following the break-up of her 22-year marriage, which ended 18 months ago when she caught husband Ken Boyd cheating on her.
It was nip and tuck on the resumption of play as both teams exchanged points to leave three points between the sides with 51 minutes played.
It was nip and tuck at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre all night but it was Williams who held his nerve to claims his second world crown.