notch

A small cut or hollow in the edge or surface of something.

• There is a notch in the handle.
• Fit the string into the notch at the end.
• The blade has several small notches along its edge.

Similar words: indentation, nick

Common phrases: notch in something, small notch, cut a notch

A small step up or down in quality, amount, or strength.

• Turn the volume down a notch.
• This hotel is a notch better than the last one.
• The team raised its performance another notch.

How to use it: a notch above/below something (This restaurant is a notch above the others.); up/down a notch (Turn the heating up a notch.)

Similar words: step, level, degree

Common phrases: up a notch, down a notch, a notch above

A small cut made in an object to record a number or event.

• Each notch represented one day.
• He added a notch to the stick after every sale.
• The notches on the handle recorded the hunter’s catches.

Similar words: tally mark

Common phrases: notch on something, another notch, count the notches

A deep, narrow route through mountains.

• The trail climbs through a narrow notch.
• Snow blocked the road through the mountain notch.
• We rested at the entrance to the notch.

Similar words: pass, defile

Common phrases: mountain notch, narrow notch, through the notch

To make a small cut in the edge or surface of something.

• Notch the stick near its end.
• The carpenter notched the beam to fit the joint.
• Each blade was carefully notched along one edge.

Similar words: nick

Common phrases: notch a stick, notch the edge, notch a beam

To record a score or number by making small cuts in an object.

• They notched the score on a stick.
• The hunter notched each kill on his wooden handle.
• She notched every point with a small cut in the board.

Similar words: tally

Common phrases: notch a score, notch each point, notch each kill

To increase or reduce something in small amounts or stages.

• They notched the price down slightly.
• The factory notched up production as demand grew.
• Management plans to notch back salaries over several months.

How to use it: notch something up/down/back (The company notched its prices down to attract customers.)

Similar words: adjust

Common phrases: notch something up, notch something down, notch something back