neck to neck

USAGE SUMMARY

"neck to neck" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe either a situation in which two people or teams are very close in a race or competition, with one having only a slight advantage over the other, or when two people are facing each other in a confrontational manner. For example, "The candidates were running neck to neck in the polls right up until the election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Stacks empty bottles neck to neck(his own method) so they dont have to be crated.

The New Yorker

She is running neck to neck with Mrs. Cormoran who is annoyed.

The New Yorker

But another one told him that Jalili is the next president whether he likes it or not — Najmeh Bozorgmehr (@Najmeh_Tehran) 14 Jun 13 A senior advisor to Qalibaf tells me Qalibaf slightly ahead of Rohani but largely "neck to neck".

The New York Times

There is a catch to the Arden plan, however, and it is our duty to expose it: it would appear from a statement made by the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture that the vitamins in the 1934 grapwfruit crop will be running a neck to neck race with the arsenic.

The New Yorker

"This race [between AMD and Intel] is going to be neck to neck," says Scovel.

Forbes

(2) Moreover, a neck to neck comparison of MultiEA with CMA-ES, HdEA, PSO2011, and SaDE is also made.

Applied Soft Computing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Others are just bursting to run, take the lead and are always happy to go neck-to-neck.

The New York Times

The Liberal Party and the ultra-nationalist Heruth Party are still neck-to-neck for second place, with 16 or 17 seats each.

The Guardian

Cielo Filho was wearing the Arena X-Glide, a polyurethane suit that is running neck-to-neck with Jaked in the popularity race.

The New York Times - Sports

After his warm-up, Cavic said his coach, Mike Bottom, came to him with a pair of clippers and shaved the hairs behind his neck, as if he knew Cavic was going to be neck-to-neck with Phelps.

The New York Times

Not only did he learn about the export market that would make the company one of the three global giants in beer -- behind Anheuser-Busch of the United States and neck-to-neck with Interbrew of Belgium -- he also found the partner of his life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing competitive scenarios, use "neck to neck" to vividly illustrate the closeness of the contest and the high stakes involved. This emphasizes the intensity and uncertainty of the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "neck to neck" in literal contexts. This phrase is primarily figurative and applies to competitions, races, or situations where entities are closely matched, not for describing physical arrangements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neck to neck" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig confirms the phrase's validity, indicating its role in depicting close competition or proximity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

21%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "neck to neck" is a valid and understandable expression primarily used to describe scenarios of close competition, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an adverbial phrase, emphasizing the intensity of the situation. While not exceedingly common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "virtually tied" and "in close contention". It is crucial to use it in a figurative sense relating to competitions, not physical arrangements. The phrase is generally suitable for most forms of communication, which can range from informal to neutral or professional communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a dead heat

Suggests an exact tie in a race, requiring further resolution.

virtually tied

Indicates an almost equal standing or score, especially in statistics or polls.

within a hair's breadth

Emphasizes the extremely small margin separating the competitors.

in close contention

Focuses on the aspect of a tight competition or dispute.

running side by side

Emphasizes the simultaneous progression and close proximity in a race or contest.

nip and tuck

Highlights the fluctuating lead and close margin in a competition.

fighting tooth and nail

Highlights the fierce determination and intense effort in the competition.

evenly matched

Stresses the balanced skill or strength between competitors.

on equal footing

Focuses on the balanced start or equal opportunity in the contest.

hardly any difference

Highlights the minimal distinction between competitors.

FAQs

What does "neck to neck" mean?

The phrase "neck to neck" describes a situation where competitors are very close, almost tied, in a race or contest. It implies that there's hardly any difference between them at a particular moment.

How can I use "neck to neck" in a sentence?

You might say, "The two candidates were "virtually tied" in the polls, running "neck to neck" until the final week." Or, "The companies are "evenly matched", going "neck to neck" in market share."

What are some phrases similar to "neck to neck"?

Alternatives include "in close contention", "running side by side", or "within a hair's breadth", all indicating a close race or competition.

Is it correct to say "neck and neck" instead of "neck to neck"?

Yes, "neck and neck" is a perfectly valid and more common alternative to "neck to neck". Both phrases convey the same meaning of a very close competition.