IdiomAnimals
English
Englishpipped at the post
Meaning: To be beaten at the very last moment.
Example: “Our firm was pipped at the post for the contract by a company from Leeds.”
Origin: British horse-racing language: "pip" meant to beat narrowly, and the post marks the finish line. The phrase is found from the early 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Être coiffé au poteau Literally: To be capped at the post
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