neck and neck

ADJECTIVE

[/nek ænd nek/]

very close together in a race or competition; having equal chances of winning

💡 Concept

very close together in a race or competition; having equal chances of winning

🎵 Rhyme

Racing neck and neck, check the wreck!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/nek ænd nek/

🇬🇧 UK/nek ænd nek/

🌳Etymology

Origin

This phrase originated in horse racing during the 1800s, derived from the literal image of two competing horses running so closely together that their necks appear level and parallel to one another. The metaphor was extended to describe any close competition where contestants are equally matched.

Breakdown

neck (the anatomical part of a horse's body) + and + neck (repeated for emphasis), originally referring to the physical alignment of horses' necks in a tight race, later generalized to mean 'tied' or 'equally matched' in any competitive context.

🎵Rhyme

checkdeckwreck

check

deck

wreck

🔗Collocations

neck and neck race

running neck and neck

neck and neck competition

neck and neck finish

neck and neck battle

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The pizza delivery guys were neck and neck, but Tony won by using a shortcut through the park.”

“Samsung and Apple are neck and neck in the smartphone market.”

😄 Fun example

“My diet and my appetite are neck and neck - unfortunately, my appetite is winning.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

closeeventieddeadlockedequal

Antonyms

aheadbehindwinning

competitivetight racephoto finishdead heat

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neck and neck — very close together in a race or competition; having equal chances of winning

Example Sentences