neck and neck

Idioms and Phrases

So close that the advantage or lead shifts from one to the other or is virtually indistinguishable, as in The two are neck and neck in developing a new operating system for the computer . The term comes from horse racing, where the necks of two horses in competition appear to be side by side. [Early 1800s] For a synonym, see nip and tuck .

Example Sentences

The first-term senator is neck-and-neck with Rep. Cory Gardner in a campaign that may determine control of the Senate in 2015.

From The Daily Beast

Notre Dame and Alabama have been running neck-and-neck in football ever since.

From The Daily Beast

“If they are neck-and neck, Romney is going to win,” he predicted.

From The Daily Beast

In what are expected to be tight three-way contests in Mississippi and Alabama today, Santorum and Romney are neck-and-neck.

From The Daily Beast

But even if Gingrich were to exit, the two would still be neck-and-neck.

From The Daily Beast

From the very outset it seemed that Merriwell and Mansford were in for a neck-and-neck match.

From Project Gutenberg

Then Andy ran neck-and-neck with the pilot train for several miles.

From Project Gutenberg

A thrilling rescue and a neck-and-neck race for the treasure followed.

From Project Gutenberg

That day I could have raced neck-and-neck with a shooting star!

From Project Gutenberg

They were well in sight now; Nero the Second and Iris, racing neck-and-neck, drawing rapidly away from the others.

From Project Gutenberg