nicked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nicked up" is not standard in written English and may be considered informal or colloquial.
It can be used in contexts where something has been slightly damaged or marked, often in a casual conversation. Example: "After the move, the furniture was nicked up and needed some touch-up paint."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"Usually, you're going to have someone nicked up".

The New York Times

"It's always important, especially now that our backfield is kind of nicked up".

The New York Times - Sports

But there's a difference between being nicked up and sore and being not able to play".

The New York Times

"Catchers are used to getting nicked up, it's part of the trade," Joe Girardi said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's never fun getting nicked up like this in a game," Weekes said.

The New York Times - Sports

But if you run a race you're going to get nicked up and you may fall from grace".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

This season, with Cruz and Nicks making up what may be the best receiving tandem in the league, expectations are for defenses to get even more creative.

The New York Times - Sports

He sends in a low drive which Cudicini probably had covered, but Rice was standing about a yard in front of the keeper and stuck a boot out to nick it up over him and into the net.

The Guardian - Sport

Minus the bad jumpers and propensity to nick roll ups from his impoverished students despite his beefy salary.

Vice

Caution seems to be a hallmark of both his personality and his style: Ms. DeYoung tells us that as a junior officer, Mr. Powell had his grade on an exam nicked for not coming up with a bolder response to a hypothetical war-fighting question, and later carried with him a three-by-five card that read, "Avoid Conservatism".

The New York Times - Books

"Fortunately Corbs has popped up and nicked the winner for us at the death".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nicked up" to describe minor physical damage to objects or minor injuries to people, especially in informal contexts. For example, "After the game, several players were a bit 'nicked up'."

Common error

Avoid using "nicked up" in formal or professional writing. It is generally considered too informal for such settings. Opt for alternatives like "slightly damaged" or "a bit injured" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nicked up" functions as a phrasal verb acting as an adjective, describing a state of being slightly damaged or injured. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not standard in written English and may be considered informal or colloquial.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nicked up" is a phrasal verb used informally to describe something that is slightly damaged or someone who is slightly injured. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not standard in written English and may be considered informal. While grammatically acceptable in casual contexts, it's best to avoid using it in formal or professional writing, opting instead for alternatives like "slightly damaged" or "a bit injured". The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources. When aiming to describe a minor state of damage or injury, "nicked up" can be apt, but consider your audience and the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly injured

Focuses on the injury aspect, omitting the implication of minor damage.

slightly hurt

Similar to 'slightly injured', but may refer to emotional or physical pain.

a bit damaged

Emphasizes the damage rather than potential injury.

a tad roughed up

Similar in meaning but suggests a more violent or forceful cause.

a little scratched

Focuses specifically on surface-level damage.

a little worn

Suggests damage or wear due to age or use.

somewhat impaired

Suggests a reduction in functionality or condition.

slightly marred

Emphasizes the aesthetic imperfection caused by damage.

not in perfect condition

A more formal way of indicating damage or imperfection.

in less than pristine shape

A more elaborate way of saying something is not in perfect condition.

FAQs

How can I use "nicked up" in a sentence?

You can use "nicked up" to describe something or someone that is slightly damaged or injured. For example, "The car got a little nicked up in the parking lot" or "The player was nicked up but still played hard".

What does "nicked up" mean?

"Nicked up" means slightly damaged or injured. It's often used informally to describe minor wear and tear or small injuries.

What can I say instead of "nicked up"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly injured", "a bit damaged", or "somewhat impaired" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "nicked up" in a formal setting?

No, it's generally not appropriate to use "nicked up" in formal settings. It's considered an informal expression. Use more formal alternatives like "slightly damaged" or "in less than pristine shape".