clip
clip — noun
1. a small object, typically constructed from metal or plastic, whose job is to pre
a small object, typically constructed from metal or plastic, whose job is to press materials together and stop them from moving apart — for example, bundling loose pages or fixing a name tag to a jacket.
Priya used a paper clip to hold the report pages together.
collocation: paper clip
The hairdresser fastened a section of hair with a metal clip before cutting.
concrete usage in hairdressing
Aiko attached the name tag to her jacket with a small plastic clip.
The cables behind the desk were kept tidy with a sticky clip.
collocation: cable clip / sticky clip
Yusuf found a binder clip in the drawer and used it for his papers.
- paper clip
- hair clip
- binder clip
- tie clip
- cable clip
- fastener
a more general term that includes buttons, zippers, hooks, and clips
- clamp
larger and stronger than a clip, used in woodworking or surgery
- paper clip
a specific type of clip for holding sheets of paper together
Usage Note
Often combined with another noun to specify the type: 'paper clip', 'hair clip', 'binder clip', 'tie clip'.
Common Mistakes
2. a brief section taken from a longer film, TV show, or online recording, shared a
a brief section taken from a longer film, TV show, or online recording, shared and watched on its own.
Theo showed his classmates a short clip from the nature documentary.
collocation: short clip
This video clip of a baby panda has been viewed more than five million times.
collocation: video clip
Hana found a clip from the 1990s that showed the band's very first concert.
The evening news included a clip of the mayor answering questions at the town hall.
collocation: news clip
Kofi uploaded a short guitar clip to share with his friends online.
- video clip
- film clip
- news clip
- short clip
3. used in the phrase 'at a clip' to describe movement or progress happening at a n
used in the phrase 'at a clip' to describe movement or progress happening at a noticeably quick pace.
The runner moved at a fair clip and finished far ahead of the others.
pattern: at a fair clip
The motorcycle was travelling at a good clip down the coastal road.
pattern: at a good clip
Leila did her homework at quite a clip and finished in under an hour.
At this clip, the crew will finish painting the fence before lunch.
pattern: at this clip
Grammar Patterns
at a ... clip
Usage Note
Used almost exclusively inside the fixed phrase 'at a / this / that clip'. Cannot stand alone as a noun meaning 'speed' — compare ❌ 'The clip was 80 km/h' ✅ 'The car was travelling at a fast clip.'
Common Mistakes
4. a detachable holder for bullets that slides into a gun to supply ammunition for
a detachable holder for bullets that slides into a gun to supply ammunition for firing.
The soldier reloaded his rifle with a fresh clip of ammunition.
collocation: fresh clip of ammunition
Instructors showed the recruits how to insert the clip into the rifle.
A standard clip for this pistol holds up to fifteen rounds.
collocation: standard clip
Yara watched the hunter remove the empty clip from her shotgun.
- ammunition clip
- rifle clip
- clip of bullets
- empty clip
- magazine
commonly used interchangeably but technically different — a magazine is spring-loaded and built into the gun
- cartridge holder
a descriptive but less common term
Usage Note
Often confused with 'magazine'. Technically, a clip feeds bullets into a magazine; a magazine is a spring-loaded compartment inside the gun. In everyday speech, many people use the two words interchangeably.
Common Mistakes
5. the activity of cutting small amounts off something — such as hair, nails, or pl
the activity of cutting small amounts off something — such as hair, nails, or plants — so that it becomes neater and better-shaped.
Tomás booked an appointment for a haircut and a beard clip at the barbershop.
collocation: beard clip
The dog's thick fur needs a clip before the summer heat arrives.
A regular clip keeps the front hedge looking neat and healthy all year.
collocation: regular clip
After a quick nail clip, Ravi washed his hands at the sink.
- hair clip
- beard clip
- nail clip
- hedge clip
- fur clip
Usage Note
Typically used with a preceding noun that specifies what is being cut: 'hair clip', 'nail clip', 'hedge clip'. Often interchangeable with 'trim', though 'clip' suggests a quicker or less detailed session.
6. a short, sharp hit, especially to the side of the head, given as a mild physical
a short, sharp hit, especially to the side of the head, given as a mild physical punishment or warning, particularly to a child.
The teacher gave the boy a clip round the ear for talking in class.
pattern: a clip round the ear
Mrs. Patel threatened her grandson with a clip on the head if he misbehaved.
pattern: a clip on the head
In the past, children sometimes received a clip for being rude to elders.
The old farmer gave his dog a clip on the ear for chasing the sheep.
- clip round the ear
- clip on the head
- clip around the ear
Grammar Patterns
a clip round the ear
a clip on the head
Usage Note
Almost always appears in fixed expressions: 'a clip round the ear' (British) or 'a clip on/around the ear'. Now considered old-fashioned and less acceptable as a form of discipline. Not used in American English.
Moving or happening at a particular speed, usually a fast one.
The team finished the project at a steady clip.
Is the car moving at a good clip on the highway?
clip — verb
1. to use scissors, nail clippers, shears, or other cutting instruments to take sma
to use scissors, nail clippers, shears, or other cutting instruments to take small bits off something so that what remains is neater or shorter than before.
Yara clipped the loose threads from her new dress with small scissors.
pattern: clip + object + from
The gardener clipped the rose bushes every Saturday before the guests arrived.
verb + object (hedge/bush)
Kofi clipped his fingernails over the bathroom sink each Sunday evening.
Wen clipped a few flowers from the garden and put them in a vase.
pattern: clip + object + from
The sheepdog had its thick winter fur clipped short before the summer show.
passive construction: clip + object + adjective
- clip hair
- clip nails
- clip the hedge
- clip off
- clip short
- clip from
Grammar Patterns
clip + object
clip + object + adjective
clip + object + off
Usage Note
Common objects include: 'hair', 'nails', 'hedge', 'bush', 'coupon', 'flower', 'thread'. The adjective 'short' frequently follows the object: 'clip the grass short'.
Common Mistakes
2. to make something smaller in amount, number, or cost, particularly by a specific
to make something smaller in amount, number, or cost, particularly by a specific figure or percentage.
The company clipped twenty percent off its advertising budget for next year.
pattern: clip + percent + off + noun
The store clipped prices on winter coats by half during the January sale.
pattern: clip + noun + by + amount
The airline clipped two hours from the flight time with its new direct route.
Nadia clipped five seconds off her best time in the hundred-metre race.
pattern: clip + time + off + record/best
- clip off
- clip costs
- clip prices
- clip time
- clip the budget
Grammar Patterns
clip + amount + off + noun
clip + noun + by + amount
Usage Note
Frequently used with 'off' to specify the amount removed: 'clip $10 off the price'. Common in business, budgeting, and sports contexts. The amount removed always comes right after the verb: 'clip 10% off', not 'clip off 10%' (though the latter is occasionally heard).
Common Mistakes
3. to make sudden contact with someone or something in a brief, sideways motion, of
to make sudden contact with someone or something in a brief, sideways motion, often when moving past or passing by.
A falling branch clipped Rohan on the shoulder as he walked under the tree.
pattern: clip + person + on + body part
The car mirror clipped the edge of the parked van in the narrow lane.
A small stone clipped the window frame and left a crack in the glass.
pattern: clip + object (thing hits surface)
The boxer's glove clipped his opponent on the chin in the final round.
- clip on the chin
- clip on the shoulder
- clip the edge
- hit
more general; can describe any degree of impact
- strike
slightly more formal or deliberate
- glance off
emphasises the sideways ricochet nature of the contact
Grammar Patterns
clip + object
clip + object + on/in + body part
Usage Note
Describes a glancing blow — the contact is quick and often accidental, not a full-force hit. Common in sports commentary for near-misses.
4. in sports, to strike a ball so that it rises steeply and travels a short distanc
in sports, to strike a ball so that it rises steeply and travels a short distance before landing — used in football, golf, and similar games.
The midfielder clipped the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net.
pattern: clip + ball + over + noun
From the rough, she clipped the golf ball onto the green near the hole.
Amara clipped the ball high over the defenders to reach her teammate.
pattern: clip + ball + high + over
The rugby player clipped the ball across the field to a teammate.
- clip the ball
- clip over
- clip high
Grammar Patterns
clip + object + preposition
clip + ball + over
Usage Note
Distinct from general 'strike' sense — this sense is always about hitting a ball with controlled technique to produce a high, short trajectory. Not used for powerful long shots.
5. within American football, to make prohibited contact with an opposing player fro
within American football, to make prohibited contact with an opposing player from behind or below the waist in order to halt their forward progress; doing so brings a penalty.
The referee threw a flag after the defender clipped the runner from behind.
pattern: clip + player + from behind
The linebacker was fined for clipping the quarterback below the waist.
In American football, clipping is a serious penalty that can injure players.
gerund form: clipping as a noun
Coach Lee warned the team that clipping would lead to ejection from the game.
- clip a player
- clipping penalty
- clipping from behind
- block illegally
descriptive phrase rather than a single-word synonym
- tackle from behind
describes the action without using sports terminology
Grammar Patterns
clip + player
Usage Note
This sense is specific to American and Canadian football. Do not use it for soccer (British football) — in soccer, 'clip' means a different type of kick (see Sports LOB sense). The noun form 'clipping' is also very common for this penalty.
Common Mistakes
6. to join two or more things together, or attach one thing to another, using a cli
to join two or more things together, or attach one thing to another, using a clip or similar device.
Zara clipped the microphone to her collar before her morning talk.
pattern: clip + object + to [surface]
The mountaineer clipped his harness onto the safety rope before climbing.
Diego clipped the photograph to the board with a red peg from the drawer.
pattern: clip + object + to [surface]
The loose pages were clipped together with a large binder clip.
passive: be clipped together
Bao clipped the ID badge onto his jacket before entering the building.
- clip together
- clip onto
- clip to
- clip on
Grammar Patterns
clip + object + to/onto/together
clip + onto
Usage Note
Can be used both transitively ('She clipped the papers together') and intransitively with an adverb/preposition ('This badge clips onto your shirt'). The intransitive use always requires a following prepositional phrase.
Common Mistakes
clip off
phrasal verbto remove a part of something by cutting with scissors or clippers.
The cashier clipped off the coupon from the bottom of the receipt.
Priya clipped off the dead leaves from the plant to help it grow.
clip on
phrasal verbto attach something by pressing a clip or similar device into place.
The name badge clips on to your shirt pocket without pins or glue.
Rohan clipped on the microphone before stepping onto the stage.
clip someone's wings
idiomto limit someone's freedom or prevent them from doing what they want to do — as if cutting a bird's feathers so it cannot fly away.
The new school rules clipped the students' wings by banning phones during breaks.
Moving back home after university clipped Amir's wings after years of freedom.
to hit someone lightly on the side of the head as a punishment, usually a child.
My grandmother used to clip me round the ear if I answered back rudely.
The old man threatened to clip the boy round the ear for stealing apples from his tree.
Word family
- clippernounB1
- clippingnounB1
- clippedadjectiveB2
- unclipverbC1
- paperclipnounA2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
These four words all describe removing material with a sharp tool, but they differ in scale and context. 'Clip' and 'trim' are the closest pair: both suggest cutting small amounts for tidiness — you 'clip' a hedge or 'trim' a beard — though 'trim' is slightly more common for grooming (hair, beard, moustache). 'Snip' implies a single quick cut with small scissors, as in 'snip a thread' or 'snip a coupon'. 'Cut' is the most general word and covers everything from slicing bread to major surgery. 'Shear' is reserved for specific heavy-duty actions: cutting wool from sheep or trimming large shrubs with shears. For everyday tidying of nails, hair, or garden plants, native speakers reach for 'clip' or 'trim' first. Example: 'I need to clip my nails' (natural) vs 'I need to shear my nails' (wrong).
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'clip' comes from two different Old English sources that merged over time. The 'fasten' meaning comes from Old English clyppan ('to embrace, clasp'), while the 'cut' meaning comes from Old Norse klippa ('to cut, shear'). Both forms existed in Middle English as 'clippen', and by the 1500s they had fully fused into a single word with two distinct sense groups. This double origin explains why 'clip' can mean both 'fasten with a clip' and 'cut with scissors' — two actions that seem unrelated but share the same modern spelling and pronunciation.