yips

American  

[yips] / yɪps /

plural noun

Sports.

1. the sudden and unexplained loss of a motor skill used in a sport, as with a smooth golf swing reduced to a stuttering one, experienced by athletes who had previously mastered the required movements.

---

yips British  

/ jɪps /

plural noun

1. informal (in sport, originally esp golf) nervous twitching or tension that destroys concentration and spoils performance

---

Etymology

Origin of yips

First recorded in 1960–65; origin obscure

Example Sentences

He yips with excitement as his wet nose nuzzles my ear and neck, giving me his best version of a hug a dog can give.

From Literature

And indeed, foxes are capable of much more than that: barks like a dog, yips of delight, chirps like a bird.

From Literature

This was reassuring, even if it did keep missing out the highest yips.

From Literature

The sled dogs, who referred to themselves as the Pack, volunteered to sing a few choral pieces consisting of a lot of yips and howls.

From Literature

“Where is it?” he yips, waving his bushy tail.

From Literature