🗓️ Idiom: Neck and Neck Race (n)
💬 Meaning
- A very close competition between two or more people or companies.
- A situation where the competitors are almost equal and it’s hard to tell who will win.
🧠 Example Sentences
- The two companies are in a neck and neck race to release the best new smartphone.
- It’s a neck and neck race between two strong candidates for the job.
- The market share numbers show a neck and neck race this quarter.
🏛️ Origin
This idiom comes from horse racing. When two horses are running side by side, their necks are at the same level. This means the race is very close. In business, it means close competition where no one has a clear lead.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
It’s a __________ between two firms trying to win the big contract.
Answer
neck and neck race
2. Choose the correct meaning of “neck and neck race”:
A) A slow and boring process
B) A situation where one team is clearly winning
C) A very close competition
D) A game with no clear rules
Answer
C) A very close competition
3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:
“Both companies are performing equally well, and it’s hard to know who will succeed.” → Change the sentence using: neck-and-neck race
Answer
It’s a neck and neck race between the two companies.