† ˈnipshot, adv. Obs. Sc.
[app. f. nip v.1 + shot n., but the force of the comb. is obscure.]
Only in phr. to shoot, or play, nipshot, to miss the mark, or miss fire, in lit. and fig. use.
| a 1568 King Berdok 12 in Laing Anc. Poetry Scotl. 269 Weill cowd he..bend ane aiprim bow, and nipschot schute. 1637–50 Row Hist. Kirk (Wodrow Soc.) 395 Now of thir Canons, one said merrilie, that all the Bishops' cannons were poysoned, they would misgive, and shoot nipshot. 1646 R. Baillie Lett. & Jrnls. (1841) II. 362 Our great hope on earth, the City of London, has played nipshott; they are speaking of dissolving the Assemblie. |