Pipped: meaning, definitions and examples

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pipped

 

[pɪpt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

sports contest

To pip someone means to defeat them narrowly in a competitive situation, often in a race or competition. This term suggests a close victory where the winner barely edges out the runner-up.

Synonyms

narrowly defeated, outpaced, outperformed.

Examples of usage

  • She pipped him to the post in the final sprint.
  • The team pipped their rivals in the championship.
  • He was pipped at the line by a mere fraction of a second.
Context #2 | Verb

informal

In informal usage, to pip can mean to surpass someone in achievement or to outdo them in any context, not limited to competitions. It often conveys a sense of surprise or unexpectedness.

Synonyms

outdo, outsmart, overtake.

Examples of usage

  • She managed to pip her classmate in the exam results.
  • He pipped his colleague to the promotion.
  • They were pipped by a last-minute decision from management.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • Derived from the old English word 'pip', which means to break or burst.
  • Historically, the term was used in card games where one player would 'pip' another by winning unexpectedly.
  • The word gained popularity in the early 19th century, particularly within British slang.

Sports

  • In horse racing, if a horse is 'pipped' at the post, it means it lost in the final seconds of the race.
  • The term is often used in competitive sports to describe a narrow victory, capturing the drama of close contests.
  • Players in games like tennis and soccer sometimes experience being pipped by an opponent's last-minute point.

Metaphor in Language

  • In conversation, to say someone got 'pipped' often implies a surprise defeat, emphasizing the sudden nature of competition.
  • The idiom expresses the idea of unexpected outcomes, indicating that nothing is certain until the end.
  • It suggests a small but vital advantage in various contexts, highlighting that every detail can matter.

Pop Culture

  • The term was popularized in various sports commentaries, adding a dramatic flair to narration.
  • Films and literature often reference being 'pipped' to signify moral or competitive victories, effective in storytelling.
  • In young adult fiction, characters often experience being pipped in friendly competitions, underscoring themes of resilience and rivalry.

Psychology

  • The thrill of being pipped can reflect our natural instinct for competition and the psychology of winning.
  • Experiencing a pipped victory can lead to increased motivation and goal-setting behavior in individuals.
  • This feeling combines elements of surprise and satisfaction, contributing to the emotional highs in competitive settings.

Translations

Translations of the word "pipped" in other languages:

🇵🇹 superar

🇮🇳 हराना

🇩🇪 übertreffen

🇮🇩 mengalahkan

🇺🇦 перемогти

🇵🇱 pokonać

🇯🇵 勝つ

🇫🇷 dépasser

🇪🇸 superar

🇹🇷 geçmek

🇰🇷 이기다

🇸🇦 يتفوق على

🇨🇿 překonat

🇸🇰 predbehnúť

🇨🇳 超过

🇸🇮 premagati

🇮🇸 sigrast

🇰🇿 жеңу

🇬🇪 მოიგო

🇦🇿 üstün gəlmək

🇲🇽 superar

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,101, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.