knife


Definition: Meaning of, knife in English to English dictionary.

Pronunciation: / nʌɪf /

  • noun
  • synonym
  • antonym
Word Forms:
Singular Plural
knife knives
[countable]
  1. a metal blade fixed into a handle, used for cutting or as a weapon [↪  scalpel]
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  2. the knives are out (for somebody) informal used to say that people are being extremely unfriendly in criticizing someone
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  3. twist/turn the knife (in the wound) to say something that makes someone more upset about a subject they are already unhappy about
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  4. stick/put etc the knife in/into someone British English informal to dislike someone and be very unfriendly towards them
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  5. under the knife informal having a medical operation
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  6. you could cut the atmosphere/air/tension with a knife used to say that you felt the people in a room were angry with each other
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  7. like a (hot) knife through butter informal used to say that something happens or is done very easily, without any problems
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synonym
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  • verb
  • synonym
  • antonym
Word Forms:
Prsesent Past Past Participle
knife knifed knifed
Present Participle Third Person Singular
knifing knifes
[transitive]
  1. to put a knife into someone's body [=  stab]
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knife used in phrases

  • Bowie knife (noun)
    1. a stout hunting knife with a single edge
  • Dutch case-knife bean (noun)
    1. tropical American bean with red flowers and mottled black beans similar to Phaseolus vulgaris but perennial; a preferred food bean in Great Britain
  • Mac the Knife
    1. a character in The THREEPENNY OPERA (1928), written by Bertolt BRECHT with music by Kurt WEILL, based on the character of Captain MACHEATH .
  • Stanley knife (noun)
    1. a very sharp knife with a small TRIANGULAR blade that you use in activities such as decorating and WOODWORK [=  exacto knife American English]
  • bolo knife (noun)
    1. long heavy knife with a single edge; of Philippine origin
  • bread knife (noun)
    1. a knife used to cut bread
  • butcher knife (noun)
    1. a large sharp knife for cutting or trimming meat
  • butter knife (noun)
    1. a small knife with a dull blade; for cutting or spreading butter
  • carving knife (noun)
    1. a large knife used for cutting large pieces of meat
  • case knife (noun)
    1. a metal blade with a handle; used as cutlery
    2. a knife with a fixed blade that is carried in a sheath
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