cut and thrust

1. A fencing technique that uses both the point and edge of the blade. Look at that cut and thrust! She's doing such a great job in this match! Your cut and thrust will improve as you get more experience fencing. You don't know what it means to "cut and thrust"? Have you ever even held a sabre before?

2. A lively debate or argument; an enthusiastic exchange of ideas. I don't mind a cut and thrust with Amy—she always has a unique perspective, even if we clash sometimes. The cut and thrust of a debate sure gives me an adrenaline rush! A cut and thrust between two intellectuals sounds delightful to me! Which era of British Literature would you like to discuss?

See also: and, cut, thrust

the cut and thrust

BRITISH

COMMON If you talk about the cut and thrust of a particular activity, you mean the lively, competitive and sometimes aggressive, way in which it is done. Why then does he want to go back into the cut and thrust of the airline business at an age when most men are happily retired? He seemed to actively enjoy the cut and thrust of politics. Note: You can also use the adjective cut-and-thrust. She has spent the past two years carving out a career as a production assistant in the cut-and-thrust world of advertising. Note: This expression comes from sword fighting.

See also: and, cut, thrust

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

cut and thrust

1 a spirited and rapid interchange of views. 2 a situation or sphere of activity regarded as carried out under adversarial conditions.

In fencing, a cut is a slashing stroke and a thrust one given with the point of the weapon.

See also: and, cut, thrust

the cut and ˈthrust (of something)

(British English) the lively exchange of opinions or ideas; competitiveness: He enjoys the cut and thrust of business.

See also: and, cut, thrust

See also: