In the Nick of Time
What it means
Just barely early enough, with no margin whatsoever left over.
Where it comes from
A nick was a notch cut as a mark, on a tally stick or a measuring rod, and it meant the exact point rather than a rough area. Hitting the nick was precision, not luck.
The puzzle it came from
In the Nick of Time was the answer to the Phrasicle of September 28, 2025. The clue read In the ____ of ____, and the words came out of a grid where every neighbouring pair makes a two-word phrase.
Play today's Phrasicle Play the September 28, 2025 puzzle
Show the solved grid (this spoils the September 28, 2025 puzzle)
lolly
pop
star
fish
hook
double
take
part
time
travel
saint
nick
name
brand
new
quick
sand
castle
wall
paper
Phrasicle: In the Nick of Time