it was nicked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was nicked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was stolen or taken without permission, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "I left my bike outside for just a moment, and when I came back, I realized it was nicked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The tactic works so well he thinks it was nicked.

Independent

Rick is sure that it was nicked, a word that provides one of the play's few clues about English roots.

The New York Times

It's silly when people say it was nicked to slip because it was an edge to the keeper's gloves that flew to slip.

The Guardian - Sport

It was the second significant crash since the prototype's debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, where it was nicked by a Toyota and retired from competition.

The New York Times

You panic and say that it was nicked.

Vice

The Scream It was nicked in 1994 before being recovered several months later, as was another version swiped from the nearby Munch museum a decade later, also recovered.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

*The worst thing about this joke is that it's nicked from Jools Holland.

The Guardian - Music

"We try and do something like this on every tour we do," says Jim, flinching as a cat bounds by with a chicken leg it's nicked.

The Guardian - Travel

It is nicked and dented, but I can drain pasta for a crowd without the bottom noodles suffocating, and boil four bunches of beet greens and drain them all at once.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With a recession and rising prices these days a leg of lamb costs around £20 to £30 [$30-$30-$45] meat become a luxury many can't afford, unless, of course, it's nicked by someone willing to take thasrisk.

Vice

With a recession and rising prices – these days a leg of lamb costs around £20 to £30 – meat has become a luxury many can't afford, unless, of course, it's nicked by someone willing to take the risk.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was nicked" when aiming for an informal, particularly British English, tone. It's well-suited for casual conversations or writing that seeks a relaxed style.

Common error

Avoid using "it was nicked" in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more formal alternatives like "it was stolen" or "it was taken without authorization".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "it was nicked" is to act as a passive voice construction, indicating that something (the 'it') was the recipient of the action of being stolen. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was nicked" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something has been stolen. Predominantly employed in informal contexts, particularly within British English, it may not be appropriate for formal writing. Ludwig AI validated its correctness and offered diverse examples from sources like The Guardian and Vice, solidifying its place as a common, albeit informal, phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was stolen

This is a more formal and universally understood alternative.

it was pinched

This alternative carries a more informal tone, similar to the original phrase.

it was lifted

This has a slightly more euphemistic feel than "nicked".

it was pilfered

This suggests a petty theft or the stealing of something of little value.

it was swiped

This implies a quick and casual act of stealing.

it was taken

This is a neutral and broad alternative, lacking the specific implication of theft.

it disappeared

This avoids directly stating that something was stolen, implying it's missing.

it went missing

Similar to 'it disappeared', this avoids explicit accusation of theft.

it was purloined

This is a more formal and somewhat archaic term for stealing.

it was misappropriated

This suggests that something was taken and used improperly or for an unauthorized purpose.

FAQs

What does "it was nicked" mean?

The phrase "it was nicked" means that something was stolen. It's an informal expression, common in British English.

What can I say instead of "it was nicked"?

You can use alternatives like "it was stolen", "it was pinched", or "it was taken" depending on the context.

Is "it was nicked" appropriate in formal writing?

No, "it was nicked" is generally not appropriate for formal writing. It's better to use more formal alternatives such as "it was stolen".

Where is the phrase "it was nicked" most commonly used?

The phrase "it was nicked" is most commonly used in British English. It is less common in American English, where "it was stolen" would be the more typical phrasing.