knife (redirected from knifing)

cut/go through something like a (hot) knife through butter

to cut something very easily. A laser beam can cut through metal like a hot knife through butter.

See also: butter, cut, like, through

go under the knife

to have a medical operation. More and more women are choosing to go under the knife just to improve their appearance.

have your knife into someone (British & Australian, informal)

to try to cause problems for someone because you do not like them. Mike's had his knife into me ever since he found out I was seeing his ex-girlfriend.

on a knife-edge

if a person or organization is on a knife-edge, they are in a difficult situation and are worried about what will happen in the future. She's been living on a knife-edge since her ex-husband was released from prison last month. The theatre is on a financial knife-edge and must sell 75% of its seats every night to survive.

put/stick the knife in (British & Australian, informal)

to do or say something unpleasant to someone in an unkind way. 'No one in the office likes you, you know, Tim', she said, putting the knife in. The reviewer from The Times really stuck the knife in, calling it the worst play he'd seen in years.

See also: stick

a turn/twist of the knife

turn/twist the knife - to do or say something unpleasant which makes someone who is already upset feel worse. 'I never loved you', she said, with a final twist of the knife.

See also: turn, twist

turn/twist the knife

to do or say something unpleasant which makes someone who is already upset feel worse. Having made the poor girl cry, he twisted the knife by saying she was weak and unable to cope with pressure.

See also: turn, twist

under the knife (humorous)

go under the knife - to have a medical operation. The hospital is worried about the number of patients who have died under the knife.

you could cut the atmosphere with a knife

something that you say to describe a situation in which everyone is feeling very angry or nervous and you feel that something unpleasant could soon happen. There was a lot of tension between Diane and Carol; you could cut the atmosphere in that room with a knife.

See also: could, cut

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twist the knife

to do or say something to make a situation worse. He caused McCarthy to make a fool of himself, and then twisted the knife by asking, “Have you no decency, sir?”

Usage notes: also used in the form a twist of the knife: When discussing the union, even when he starts by saying positive things George can never resist a twist of the knife.

See also: twist

under the knife

having a medical operation. I wouldn't go under the knife just to improve my appearance.

Usage notes: most often used with the verbs go or be, as in the example