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Neck and neck
Meaning: It means two competitors are close and have an equal chance of winning.
Example: In bidding for this project, the two subcontractors are neck and neck.

Needle in a haystack
Meaning: Looking for a needle in a haystack means that it is very difficult to find.
Example: The project manager tries to find a contract signed with a partner ten years ago. This is simply looking for a needle in a haystack.

Nip it in the bud
Meaning: Deal with a problem or stop something before it grows to be serious.
Example: The management needs to nip the kind of harassment in the bud before more staff are leaving the company.

Number cruncher
Meaning: Someone who is good at or whose job involves dealing with numbers or calculations
Example: Alex is a number cruncher and he should work in the accounting industry instead of as a designer.