What does "Nip out" mean?

To go out briefly (British) British term for going out quickly for a short time.

How do you use "Nip out" in a sentence?

Just nipping out. Nip out for cigarettes. I'll nip out. Nipped out for a bit.

Nip out

Slang Term British ★★★★☆ Common Casual

Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci →

Meaning: To go out briefly (British)

短暂外出（英国用语）

Salir brevemente (británico)

ちょっと外出する（イギリス英語）

잠깐 나갔다 오다 (영국식 표현)

British term for going out quickly for a short time.

英国用语，指短时间快速外出。

Expresión británica para salir rápidamente por poco tiempo.

短時間だけ素早く外出するというイギリス英語。

짧은 시간 동안 빠르게 외출하는 것을 뜻하는 영국식 표현.

Examples

Just nipping out.
出去一下
Solo salgo un momento
ちょっと出てくる
잠깐 나갔다 올게.
Nip out for cigarettes.
出去买烟
Salir a por tabaco
タバコを買いにちょっと出る
담배 사러 잠깐 나갈게.
I'll nip out.
我出去一下
Salgo un momento
ちょっと出てくるね
잠깐 나갔다 올게.
Nipped out for a bit.
出去了一会儿
Salí un ratito
少しの間外出した
잠깐 나갔다 왔어.

Pronunciation

/nɪp aʊt/

Usage Guide

Context: going out, quick trips, casual

Tone: casual, British

✓ Do Say

Nip out.
出去一下
Salir un momento
ちょっと出る
잠깐 나가다.
Nipping out.
正要出去
Saliendo un momento
ちょっと出てくる
잠깐 나갈게.
Just nip out.
就出去一下
Solo salir un momento
ちょっとだけ出る
잠깐만 나갔다 올게.

✗ Don't Say

British expression
British expression（英国用语）
British expression（Expresión británica）
British expression（イギリス英語の表現）
영국식 표현
Implies brevity
Implies brevity（暗示时间短暂）
Implies brevity（Implica brevedad）
Implies brevity（短時間を示す）
짧은 시간을 암시

Common Mistakes

British term—Americans won't use it
Implies quick trip

Origin & History

British expression where 'nip' suggests quick, nimble movement.

Etymology: Nip (quick movement)

First recorded: British slang from 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: 20th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: British everyday speech; Very common

Regional notes: British expression. Americans say 'step out' or 'run out.'

Variations

Nip outNipping outNipped out