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

But what seemed like a runaway competition between the two quarterbacks through fall camp ended up being “neck and neck” according to Riley.

From Los Angeles Times

But if Eagle and Packers fans shared anything, it’s the recognition that Trump and Harris remain neck and neck.

From Los Angeles Times

It happened in 2012 when President Obama was running neck and neck with his Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, in the final weeks of the campaign.

From Los Angeles Times

With just a week to go until Nov. 5, polls show Harris and Trump are still neck and neck nationwide and in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin and North Carolina.

From Salon

North Carolina, Wisconsin and Michigan — all states where both candidates are neck and neck — are home to sizeable Puerto Rican populations.

From Salon