nip at

nip at

1. To give (someone or something) little bites. Their dog kept nipping at my heels whenever I walked through the house. I know some people go crazy for the treatment, but I can't stand the feeling of fish nipping at my feet!2. To sting (a part of one's body) with cold. The air had just started nipping at our noses by the time we reached the house. There's nothing like settling down in front of a fire with a hot drink after the cold wind has been nipping at your cheeks on a long, satisfying bike ride.See also: nip

nip at someone or something

to bite at someone or something. The dog nipped at the visitor, but didn't cause any real harm. A small dog nipped at my heels.See also: nip

nip at

v.1. To grab and pinch or bite: The fish nipped at our feet when we walked in the pond.2. To bite or sting with the cold: The wind was nipping at our nose.3. To sip some drink, often alcoholic, in small amounts: They were caught nipping at the whiskey again.See also: nip