Neck and neck

Definition & Meaning of "neck and neck"

neck and neck

PHRASE

used when two or more participants in a race or competition are very close and have an equal chance of winning

Idiom

Informal

What is the origin of the idiom "make a go of something" and when to use it?

The idiom "neck and neck" likely originates from the world of horse racing, where it is crucial to measure the distances between horses at the finish line. When two horses are very close to each other, with their necks aligned, it signifies a close and competitive race with no clear leader. Over time, this horse racing terminology has been adopted into everyday language to describe any close competition or situation where two or more parties are evenly matched.

used to describe a situation where no clear advantage or resolution has emerged, leaving the final result uncertain

Idiom

Informal

What is the origin of the idiom "neck and neck" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "neck and neck" can be traced back to horse racing, where the phrase refers to horses running side by side with their necks aligned. This image captures the intense competition between two or more horses as they strive to outpace each other in a race. Over time, the idiom "neck and neck" expanded beyond horse racing to describe any situation or competition where participants are closely matched and there is no clear leader or advantage.

Example

In the talent competition, the two singers were neck and neck, receiving the same high scores from the judges.

The soccer match was intense, with both teams playing neck and neck until the final minutes.

The race was neck and neck, and the runners sprinted down to the wire to determine the winner.

The marathon came to a grandstand finish as the two lead runners sprinted neck and neck towards the finish line, with the eventual winner crossing by a mere fraction of a second.