Slang

nick (1)

This page is about the slang term nick (1)

British English

Meaning

to steal something

For example

  • I left my bike in front of the bank while I went inside to pay some bills. When I came back out it was gone. Some bastard had nicked it!

  • Did you ever nick money from your mum's purse when you were a kid?

Note:
This word is usually used for minor thefts by kids or petty criminals, not major thefts by professional criminals or corrupt politicians, government officials and businessmen.

Variety

This is typically used in British English but may be used in other varieties of English too.

Quick Quiz

If your laptop computer has been nicked, you should

a. have it repaired

b. tell the police

c. buy more memory
a) have it repaired b) tell the police c) buy more memory

See Slang of the Day today

Contributor: Matt Errey