knife

knife¹ W3S3 [naıf] n plural knives [naıvz]

↑flipper, ↑knife, ↑tank, ↑wetsuit

[: Old English; Origin: cnif]

1.) a metal blade fixed into a handle, used for cutting or as a weapon

→↑scalpel

▪ a knife and fork

▪ Some young people are carrying knives to defend themselves.

▪ a kitchen knife

▪ Use a sharp knife to cut the melon into sections.

2.) the knives are out (for sb) informal used to say that people are being extremely unfriendly in criticizing someone

▪ The knives are out for the vice president.

3.) twist/turn the knife (in the wound)

to say something that makes someone more upset about a subject they are already unhappy about

4.) stick/put etc the knife in/into someone

BrE informal to dislike someone and be very unfriendly towards them

5.) under the knife informal

having a medical operation

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

7.) like a (hot) knife through butter informal

used to say that something happens or is done very easily, without any problems

knife ²

knife² v [T ]

to put a knife into someone's body

= ↑stab

▪ She had been knifed to death .

>knifing n