neck and neck

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR B2

Post

Example

“The two products are neck and neck on performance.”

Dictionary details

Component words

neck

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

breathe down someone's neck Neutral · CEFR B2

to monitor someone so closely that they feel pressured or uncomfortable

neck of the woods Neutral · CEFR B2

someone's local area or part of the country

give someone a run for their money Neutral · CEFR B1

to compete nearly as well as a much stronger opponent, forcing them to work hard for victory

below par Neutral · CEFR B2

worse than the normal or expected standard

cut both ways Neutral · CEFR B2

to produce both helpful and harmful effects or implications

deep pockets Informal · CEFR B2

having a great deal of money to spend

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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