nick
B2Informal in many extended meanings (e.g., arrest, steal); neutral for the core 'cut' meaning.
Definition
Meaning
A small cut, notch, or dent; to make such a cut.
A state or condition, often implying trouble (e.g., 'in good nick' meaning in good condition, 'in the nick' meaning in trouble or jail); to steal; to arrest or catch (especially someone doing something wrong).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word's polysemy is significant. It moves from a physical cut to a metaphorical 'notch' or mark (e.g., 'in the nick of time' meaning at the precise, critical moment) to abstract states and actions (condition, arrest). The 'steal/arrest' meanings are predominantly British and Australian informal usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
'Nick' as a verb for 'steal' or 'arrest' is common in BrE informal speech. In AmE, 'nick' for 'arrest' is rare/understood from media; 'steal' meaning is very uncommon. 'In good nick' (condition) is BrE. 'Nick' for a small cut is common in both.
Connotations
In BrE, 'nick' (verb) has strong informal, slightly playful connotations related to police/crime. In AmE, it's primarily a concrete noun/verb for a small cut.
Frequency
Much more frequent in BrE due to its wider range of informal meanings.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
V n (transitive: He nicked the cable.)V n for n (He nicked it for speeding.)BE V-ed (He got nicked.)N in n (in the nick of time)N of n (a nick of paint)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in the nick of time”
- “in good nick”
- “in bad nick”
- “the nick (slang for prison)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except perhaps informally: 'The project was delivered in the nick of time.'
Academic
Very rare, except in historical texts referencing 'Old Nick' (the devil).
Everyday
Common for minor cuts and, in BrE, for arrest/steal. 'Mind the edge, you'll nick yourself.' 'He got nicked for shoplifting.'
Technical
Can be used in manufacturing/woodworking for a small intentional cut or guide mark.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The police nicked him for speeding.
- Someone's nicked my bike from the rack!
American English
- Be careful not to nick the table with that knife.
- He nicked himself while shaving.
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- This car is in really good nick for its age.
- (No standard adjectival use outside this set phrase.)
American English
- (Adjectival use like 'nick condition' is not standard.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a small nick on my finger.
- He arrived in the nick of time for dinner.
- The vase has a tiny nick on the rim.
- The player was in great nick and scored three goals.
- The thief was nicked by police as he left the shop.
- We finished the report in the nick of time before the meeting.
- Despite its age, the vintage watch was in remarkably good nick, keeping perfect time.
- The suspect was nicked on a technicality, but the evidence was circumstantial.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a NICK in time: a small cut (nick) in the fabric of time, just before it's too late.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SMALL CUT IS A CAPTURE (BrE): The act of 'nicking' someone is conceptually making a mark (a 'nick' in their record) to claim/capture them.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with the name 'Nick'.
- The common BrE 'arrest' meaning has no direct single-word equivalent in Russian; use 'арестовать' or 'задержать'.
- 'In the nick of time' is 'в самый последний момент', not a literal translation involving 'nick'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'nick' to mean 'steal' in formal AmE contexts.
- Overusing the 'arrest' meaning where 'cut' is intended.
- Misinterpreting 'in good nick' as related to a person named Nick.
Practice
Quiz
In British English, if someone says 'My phone's been nicked,' what do they mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The core meaning 'small cut' is neutral. However, meanings like 'steal' or 'arrest' are informal and primarily British.
It means at the last possible moment, just before it is too late.
It would be understood by many due to exposure to British media, but it is not native American usage. An American would say 'busted' or 'arrested'.
The connection is metaphorical. To 'nick' someone is to make a notch or mark (in a record, or on a tally stick historically) to indicate their capture or transgression.