What it means
Means to go somewhere really quickly and come straight back, usually for some tiny mission like grabbing milk, hitting the cashpoint, or popping to the loo. It always carries that lovely little promise of I won't be long, which is exactly why it so often turns into a mini disappearing act.
Usage examples
"Just nipping to the shops for milk, yeah? Twenty minutes later he rocks up with a meal deal, cigs, and a chatty story from the offie."
"I'm just nipping round the corner for Rizlas, don't start the film without me."
"She said she was nipping to Tesco and came back an hour later with candles, snacks, and gossip."
"I'm just nipping out for a vape and a Lucozade, back in two if the queue at the offie isn't doing madness."
"He said he was nipping round his mate's gaff, then vanished long enough for us to order starters without him."
Where it comes from
From the older English verb nip, which shows up in Middle English with the sense of pinching or giving something a quick sharp bite. That idea of speed and suddenness later stretched in British English into taking a brief trip, which is how you get everyday bits like nip out, nip round, and nip to the shops.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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