neck and neck
Too close, call
Neck and neck describes competitors so close together that neither has a clear advantage.
The phrase comes from horse racing, where horses running side by side have their necks aligned.
It applies to any tight contest—elections, sales figures, sports matchups: The candidates remained neck and neck in the polls throughout October.
The phrase usually appears as a predicate adjective rather than before a noun.
Same status or position
- on parOf equivalent standing
- comparableAble to be likened
- balancedIn a state of equilibrium
- equivalentSame in value or function
peer · counterpart · coequal · tantamount · level pegging · even-steven · matched · competitive
Equal score, or neckwear
- drawCreate with pencil
- dead heatTied competition result
- photo finishRace decided by camera
- stalemateMutual obstruction preventing progress
deadlock · standoff · toss-up · even · level · parity · impasse · equipoise
Ongoing contest between opponents
- contestOrganized competitive event
- raceCompetition of speed
- battleArmed military engagement
- showdownDecisive final confrontation
duel · clash · tug-of-war · tournament · championship · playoffs · finals · matchup
Brief maximum-speed effort
- marathonLong-distance footrace
- finish lineRace completion marker
- final stretchConcluding portion of effort
- homestretchLast portion before completion
lap · furlong · pole position · leaderboard · frontrunner · pace · jockey · thoroughbred
equal footing
Same status or position
- on parOf equivalent standing
- comparableAble to be likened
- balancedIn a state of equilibrium
equivalent · peer · counterpart · coequal · tantamount · level pegging · even-steven · matched · competitive · close
tie
Equal score, or neckwear
- drawCreate with pencil
- dead heatTied competition result
- photo finishRace decided by camera
stalemate · deadlock · standoff · toss-up · even · level · parity · impasse · equipoise · equilibrium
rivalry
Ongoing contest between opponents
showdown · duel · clash · tug-of-war · tournament · championship · playoffs · finals · matchup · faceoff
sprint
Brief maximum-speed effort
- marathonLong-distance footrace
- finish lineRace completion marker
- final stretchConcluding portion of effort
homestretch · lap · furlong · pole position · leaderboard · frontrunner · pace · jockey · thoroughbred · photo finish
- Competition idiomslevel playing field, down to the wire, win hands down, come from behind, in the running
- body idiomsheart of gold, heart of stone, cold heart, warm heart, soft heart
- narrow marginsphoto finish, squeaker, cliff-hanger, razor thin, by a hair
- competitioncompete, competitor, contender, winner, sports
- competition metaphorslevel playing field, race to the bottom, win-win, rat race, front runner
- racing termsbackstretch, checkered flag, daily double, dead heat, exacta
neck and necklandslide
Mass of earth falling
blowout · lopsided · miles ahead · crushing defeat · dominant
neck and neckforegone conclusion
Result assumed beforehand
decided · clear-cut · wrapped up · in the bag · settled