When his force was almost swallowed up by the Germans - after the French were driven south from Sedan and the Belgians surrendered - he took the vital decision to withdraw to Dunkirk where, according to the Times newspaper, four-fifths of his men were rescued.
Dictionaries - King James Dictionary - Sup. Sup. To dine; to make a meal. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will SUP with him, and he with me. ( Revelation 3 ) Source: A King James Dictionary.
Definition of nip. 1 : something that nips: such asa archaic : a sharp biting commentb : a sharp stinging cold a nip in the airc : a biting or pungent flavor : tang. 2 : the act of nipping : pinch, bite. 3 : the region of a squeezing or crushing device (as a calender) where the rolls or jaws are closest together.