In literature, "clip" functions as a multifaceted term that can denote both a physical act of cutting and a metaphorical curtailing of freedom or momentum. It is used to describe literal trimming or shearing – as in the careful clipping of nails and hair [1] or even items like metals fastened by a clip [2, 3] – while simultaneously evoking the notion of restraining someone’s potential, as when one’s wings are clipped to limit ambition or progress [4, 5, 6]. The word also conveys rapid movement, with narrative passages noting characters moving "at a good clip" [7, 8, 9], and it appears in technical contexts such as editing or organizing content [10, 11]. Through this range of uses, "clip" emerges as a versatile literary device capable of enriching both physical description and symbolic meaning.