sharp (redirected from sharping)

at some time sharp

exactly at the time named. You must be here at noon sharp. The plane is expected to arrive at seven forty-five sharp.

See also: some, time

have a mind as sharp as a steel trap

Fig. to be very intelligent. She's a smart kid. Has a mind as sharp as a steel trap. They say the professor has a mind as sharp as a steel trap, but then why can't he figure out which bus to take in the morning?

See also: have, mind, steel, trap

sharp as a razor 

1. very sharp. (*Also: as ~.) The penknife is sharp as a razor. The carving knife will have to be as sharp as a razor to cut through this gristle.

2. and sharp as a tack very sharp-witted or intelligent. (*Also: as ~.) The old man's senile, but his wife is as sharp as a razor. Sue configure things out from even the slightest hint. She's as sharp as a tack.

sharp tongue

Fig. an outspoken or harsh manner; a critical manner of speaking. He has quite a sharp tongue. Don't be totally unnerved by what he says or the way he says it.

See also: tongue

sharp wit

Fig. a good and fast ability to make jokes and funny comments. Terry has a sharp wit and often makes cracks that force people to laugh aloud at inappropriate times.

See also: wit

throw something into sharp relief

Fig. [for something] to make something plainly evident or clearly visible. The dull, plain background threw the ornate settee into sharp relief. The red vase was thrown into sharp relief against the black background.

See also: relief, throw

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a short sharp shock  (British & Australian)

a type of punishment that is quick and severe What young offenders need is a short sharp shock that will frighten them into behaving more responsibly.

See also: shock, short

be as sharp as a tack  (American)

to be very intelligent He may be old, but he's still as sharp as a tack.

See also: tack

Look sharp! 

1. (old-fashioned) something that you say in order to tell someone to hurry Look sharp! We have to leave in five minutes.

2. (mainly American) something that you say in order to warn someone about something Look sharp! That ladder isn't very steady.

See also: look

the sharp end  (mainly British)

the sharp end of an activity or job is the most difficult part where problems are likely to happen (usually + of ) She enjoys the challenge of being at the sharp end of investment banking.

See Look sharp!

See also: end

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(as) sharp as a tack

very intelligent He may be old in years, but he's still as sharp as a tack and knows what he's talking about.

See also: tack