cutting edge


Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

a cutting edge

An advantage due to superior skill, ability, or resources. You may not be the fastest, but you have a cutting edge—your stamina.
See also: cutting, edge

cutting edge

1. noun The forefront of technological developments or advancements. The new company I work for is at the cutting edge of medical science. I think some of their new instruments are going to revolutionize the field of medicine.
2. adjective Technologically advanced. When used as an adjective, the phrase is usually hyphenated. With their cutting-edge instruments, I really think this company is going to revolutionize the field of medicine.
See also: cutting, edge
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

cutting edge

Fig. the most forward part of a trend; the leading part of a trend. (Alludes to the edge of a sword. See also on the cutting edge. See also on the bleeding edge.) Fred's invention put him on the cutting edge of the computer chip business.
See also: cutting, edge
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

(be at) the cutting ˈedge (of something)

(be at) the newest, most advanced stage in the development of something: working at the cutting edge of computer technology
See also: cutting, edge
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

cutting edge, at/on the

In the forefront of new developments. The analogy is to the sharp edge of a knife or other tool, which is in front during the act of cutting. The term came into use in the field of scientific and technologic research about 1950 and soon was extended to practically any area of endeavor. For example, in a radio interview on November 14, 1989, Craig Wich, the director of Opera Lab, explained that his organization’s approach to integrating movement, emotion, and singing was at the cutting edge of a new approach to opera (Boston, WCRB). A similar metaphor widely used is the leading edge. Dating from the 1870s and at first describing only the forward edge of a rudder or propeller blade that cuts the water, it was later expanded to mean any device or system that extends an aircraft’s speed, altitude, and range, and eventually transferred to the vanguard of anything—“the leading edge of technology,” for example.
See also: cutting, on
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
See also:
References in periodicals archive ?
At one time or another, Apple, IBM, AT&T, and a host of other technology and telecommunications companies stepped out to play a "cutting edge" leadership role, then a short time later bled profusely because of its pioneering effort.
Balancing buildings, books, bytes, and bucks: steps to secure the public library future in the Internet age
Cutting Edge specialises in providing glass and glazing systems to the commercial construction market and reports an annual revenue of over USD10.0m.
Installed Building Products acquires Cutting Edge Glass for undisclosed amount
"Ensuring sustained relevance in today's rapidly evolving Healthcare Distribution Chain requires organizations to reevaluate their value proposition and to develop proprietary device and service solutions, in order to insulate themselves from being overrun by the swarming tide of distribution disruption," commented Regina, and "our talented team at Cutting Edge is committed to helping our clients navigate these waters."
Cutting Edge Healthcare Announces Addition of Two New Board Advisors
The effects of the drag finishing process parameters are investigated on the cutting edge radius.
The Immersion Depth Influences on Cutting Edge Radius During Drag Finishing
Another advantage of the button cutter is that the round inserts allow for the use of more of the cutting edge, resulting in up to twice the material removal capability of a typical square-edged insert.
Switch to round inserts boosts axle, transmission production
For nano-scale cutting in this system, the cutting depth can be controlled in the range of 1-100 nm (1 nm = 10-6 m) by changing the normal load applied to the cutting edge fixed on the cantilever tip.
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Achieves Real-Time Observation of Nano-Scale Cutting Process
The Pentacut's unique five cutting edge design makes it very economical.
New turning tools double tool life: catastrophic tool failure on an OD grooving application had dramatic impacts on an auto part supplier's productivity and costs. A change in turning tooling eliminated the costly failures, plus delivered double the tool life
-- International pharmaceutical companies invest an average of $43 million to implement authorized generics strategies as part of their overall lifecycle management initiatives, according to Cutting Edge Information.
Study assesses strategies for authorized generics
So cutting edge, it can't be logged on to at a website and seen on a screen in rotating 3D images?
Sue Carroll: Teachers' net
The relatively coarse surface irregularities that extend to the extreme edge of blades become rapidly polished until the surface area and cutting edge reaches a smooth equilibrium.
Converting operations: troubleshooting slitter blade wear: a troubleshooting guide for shear slitting systems can avoid application of unnecessarily costly solutions to relatively simple problems.
And it's direct from the Bridewell that The Cutting Edge comes - a spine-tingling anthology show of the works of a bunch of American musical theatre writers dubbed ``the Broadway bratpack''.
THE CUTTING EDGE IS AT THE SHARP END
ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 7500 offers the industry's only Radio Frequency (RF) remote control, cutting edge 2D and 3D graphics performance with the RADEON 7500 graphics chip, 64 MB of Double Data Rate (DDR) memory, and unparalleled ALL-IN-WONDER multimedia features.
ATI'S ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 7500 IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR HP PAVILION HOME PCS
Economic turmoil may be hurting the advertising industry, but Springfield, Massachusetts-based Cutting Edge Broadcasting Inc., is bucking the trend.
Bucking the trend: one radio station is thriving despite industry slowdown. (Making It)
Idioms browser ?
Full browser ?