Have you heard about Nick lately? ‘Who’s Nick?’ you might ask. Well, did you know that ‘nick’ is not just a name of a person or a pet? This word is actually used in English phrases and expressions.
I’ve heard this term occasionally and thought of blogging about it. So without further ado, here are some common idioms and expressions about ‘nick’.
In good nick
It is a slang which means that something is in good condition especially if it’s old but still looks good. It’s an authentic colloquial British English. (BBC Learning English)
Examples
- We’ve been keeping this old 10-centavo bill as a souvenir for years and it’s in good nick. (See the photo above)
- Shoba has brought a dozen of antique tea cups in Liverpool and they’re still in good nick.
‘In good nick’ can also be referred to an old person who is still enjoying an active life.
- Academy-award winning actor Kirk Douglas will soon celebrate his 100th birthday and he’s in good nick.
- Maggie Smith was in good nick when she accepted her best actress award.
In the nick of time
This means at the last possible moment or simply ‘just in time’. (Free Dictionary.com)
- Mary rescued a drowning cat in the nick of time while she was boating on the River Thames.
- Daniel, a Brazilian firefighter, saved the lives of the three cute puppies in the nick of time.
Sometimes though, ‘nick’ has a negative meaning so please be careful when using this term in informal conversations.
Nick as referred to nicotine – a poisonous chemical in cigars.
- You should stop craving for nick! It’s about time to get yourself fit and live a healthy life.
- Nick addiction has been increasing rapidly among the youths.
To nick
A transitive verb which means ‘to steal or get something’.
- Chickie was caught by a salesclerk nicking bars of soap in a beauty shop.
- The servant nicked Cinderella’s glass slippers while she was sleeping.
To nick
Can also mean to arrest someone, usually by the police
- If you don’t stop nicking things, one day you’ll get nicked!
- Officer Batuhan nicked a thug at a nearby hotel.
So there you have it! I hope you’re in good nick and find this blog useful. Remember it’s not a good idea to nick someone’s stuff. Meanwhile, I’d like to challenge you to write your own example sentences using these expressions on the comment box below. Good luck!
Thank you for learning with me!
Comments
Thank you very much Shoba, Risty, Molly, Batuhan, Serene, Evangelina and NotAClue for liking this blog! Have a fantastic weekend! :)
Hey, Shoba!
Let's just pretend that you bought those teacups there he he. By the way, I'm also pleased to see your participation here. Well done for always using the idioms and phrases in your example sentences. Professors who are smoking infront of his or her students should be nicked!
Thank you for participating!
Cheers,
Robbie :)
Hi, Setareh!
Don't mention it! I'm always pleased to share something useful here. I also admire old people who reach such age. They must have been using a secret pill for their longevity he he. Kidding aside, it's actually proven that a healthy lifestyle especially eating more green-leafy veggies and having no vices are the secrets for their success. Of course, we should consider other things such as having a positive mindset, being religious, and luck.
Thank you for commenting!
Ta-ta for now,
Robbie :)
Hello, Risty!
Thank you very much for participating! All of your example sentences are correct! I'm ecstatic to learn that you found this blog useful. I myself was a bit surprised with the different definitions of 'nick' when I heard it the first time. I knew some people named Nick and it could be uncomfortable for them to hear the negative definitions of this word.
Wishing you a lovely midweek!
Robbie :)
Dear Robbie,
I am flattered that you used my name in your post, but I don't remember buying any teacups in Liverpool. Haha.
Thank you so much for this wonderful lesson! I found it very useful! Almost all the definitions of "nick" were unfamiliar to me.
Even though our refrigerator is very old, it's in good nick.
It's hard to believe he is 80 years old. He is in good nick!
I got on the train just in the nick of time.
I wish my professor wouldn't use nick while teaching us.
He was caught red-handed nicking the bike.
The police nicked an innocent man and beat him up.
Dear Robbie,i just heard in the nick of time but the rest are new for me, so thanks a lot for sharing.
When i see elderly people who are in good nick i realize age has little to do with it it's more about attitude.
If you can't do the time then you shouldn't nick.
Robbie, you are so cool! All my life, I have only one definition for “nick”, a pet name-nick name. I will try to use the above mentioned “nicks”…
Inspector Megure tries to nick those bullies that keep on running after his son.
Witnessing a crime can put as liable to nick the culprit, even if there’s no authority around.
Kleptomaniac used their psychological disorder as an excuse for their nicking acts.
I assume he has a bad breath, as I can clearly see some nick on his teeth.
I saw how he pulled the trigger in just the nick of time before the killer stabs him.
Grandma can still dance like me, really prove that she is in good nick up to date.
Our ancestral house looks eerie outside but when you’re inside, you’ll find it in good nick despite all those years.
Thanks, Rob, additional idioms to my list, hopes I can use these often. You never wasted any chance really…:D, an opportunity catcher, carpe diem…kudos!