Search from various English teachers...
Jessicamessica
Hello, everyone!
"I just got out the nick "
or
"I just got out of the nick "
Are they both correct?
Jun 11, 2022 10:09 AM
Answers · 8
2
Both are correct because you will hear "I just got out the nick " in a movie.
Although the above phrase is informal.
The latter is a more perfect phrase however.
June 11, 2022
1
Warning! There's a UK/US issue here!
In the UK, "nick" is an informal word for prison. "I just out of the nick" means "I was just released from prison." I'll trust Gareth when he says the word "of" might be omitted. In formal English, you would need to say "out of," but in formal English, you wouldn't say "the nick."
"The nick" for "prison" is not used at all in the United States and wouldn't be understood.
In both countries, the expression "in the nick of time" is used, and it means "just barely in time." In the US we might shorten that, "Whew! I got that done in the nick!"
As a US speaker I was completely baffled when I heard the phrase "in the nick" in British movies. I thought it meant "in the nick of time," but it was clear from context that it obviously didn't.
June 11, 2022
Do you mean, "I just got out IN the nick OF TIME?" This is the only way I am familiar with using nick. I am following to see if I can learn something. :)
LOL. Maybe "nick" is some new slang for prison.
June 11, 2022
The second one is more natural.
And nick is a UK slang word for prison. It isn’t used widely in every area.
June 12, 2022
I have never heard this used in Canada before unless it was "I just got out of the nick of time"
June 11, 2022
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Jessicamessica
Language Skills
English, Russian, Ukrainian
Learning Language
English
Articles You May Also Like

How to Ask for a Raise or Promotion in English
8 likes · 6 Comments

The Key to Learning a Language Faster
29 likes · 8 Comments

Why "General English" is Failing Your Career (An Engineer’s Perspective)
29 likes · 12 Comments
More articles
