Final answer:
The figurative language used in the sentence is 'imagery', specifically 'auditory imagery', although the phrase 'in the nick of time' itself is not a recognized figure of speech like a simile or metaphor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The figurative language in the sentence "in the nick of time the van screeches to a halt" is an example of imagery. The phrase 'in the nick of time' suggests a precise moment where something has occurred just before a possible negative outcome, but it is not a specific figure of speech like a simile or metaphor. However, 'the van screeches to a halt' employs auditory imagery, appealing to the sense of hearing to describe the sudden and abrupt action of the van stopping. This phrase allows the reader to 'hear' the action as it unfolds, thereby enhancing the storytelling through descriptive language. Figurative language includes various forms such as similes, metaphors, and personification, which all serve to create vivid and memorable expressions in descriptive writing.