nixed
C1Informal, but common in journalism and business contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To reject, cancel, or put a stop to something.
To veto, forbid, or decisively refuse a proposal, plan, or idea. Often implies a firm, sometimes abrupt, termination.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a transitive verb. Often used in passive constructions (e.g., 'The plan was nixed'). Conveys a sense of finality. Originates from German/Yiddish 'nichts' (nothing).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English, but understood and used in British English, especially in media/business reporting.
Connotations
Slightly journalistic or corporate in both varieties. In the US, it can sound more casual.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] nixed [Object][Object] was nixed by [Subject][Subject] nixed the idea of [Gerund/NP]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to get nixed”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The board nixed the takeover bid due to regulatory concerns.
Academic
The ethics committee nixed the proposed experiment on methodological grounds.
Everyday
We had to nix our picnic plans because of the thunderstorm.
Technical
The software update was nixed after critical bugs were discovered.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Management nixed the proposal for a new office in Leeds.
- The council nixed the housing development over green belt rules.
American English
- The studio nixed the sequel due to poor test screenings.
- She nixed the idea of a cross-country road trip.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; no common examples)
American English
- (Not standard; no common examples)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard; no common examples)
American English
- (Not standard; no common examples)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher nixed the use of phones in class.
- Our trip was nixed because the flights were too expensive.
- The publisher nixed the controversial chapter before the book went to print.
- Local opposition nixed the plan to build a supermarket.
- The CFO nixed the merger talks, citing insurmountable cultural differences.
- A last-minute legal challenge nixed the settlement that had been painstakingly negotiated.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a director shouting 'Nix!' on a film set to stop everything. 'Nixed' means something was stopped.
Conceptual Metaphor
REJECTION IS ERASURE / CANCELLATION IS DESTRUCTION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'никс' (slang for 'nothing').
- Not directly equivalent to 'отменить' (cancel) in all contexts; it implies a more active, decisive rejection.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a noun (e.g., 'He gave a nix') is non-standard.
- Confusing spelling: 'nixed' not 'nickst'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'nixed' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal but common in professional journalism and business communication. For highly formal documents, 'rejected', 'vetoed', or 'terminated' may be preferred.
The base form is 'nix', used as a verb (e.g., 'I will nix that idea').
Yes, e.g., 'The director nixed the scene.' However, the passive ('The scene was nixed by the director') is also very common.
In informal American English, 'nix' can be a noun meaning 'nothing' or a veto (e.g., 'He gave it the nix'), but this is less common than the verb.