Definition

1. Noun:

   • A cutting tool: A tool consisting of a sharp blade, typically made of metal, with a handle, used for cutting or as a weapon.
   • A weapon: An instrument with a sharp blade and a handle, used for stabbing or cutting as a weapon.
   • A thin, sharp projection (figurative): Something that resembles a knife in shape or sharpness, such as a thin, piercing beam or projection.

2. Verb:

   • To stab or cut with a knife: To use a knife to injure or kill someone by stabbing.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • Please use a sharp knife to slice the bread.
  • The chef's knife is his most important tool.
  • Knives of sunlight cut through the forest canopy.

• Verb:

  • The robber threatened to knife the shopkeeper.
  • He was knifed in a back alley.

Advanced Usage

• "Before you can say knife": Very quickly or suddenly.
  • He finished the job before you could say knife.
• "To get/have one's knife into someone": To be persistently hostile or critical towards someone.
  • Ever since the argument, she's really had her knife into him.
• "War to the knife": A fierce, bitter, and relentless conflict.
  • The political debate turned into a war to the knife.
• "You could cut it with a knife": Used to describe an atmosphere or feeling that is very intense and palpable.
  • The tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Variants and Related Words

• Knives (n): Plural form of 'knife'.
• Knifelike (adj): Resembling a knife; very sharp or piercing.
  • A knifelike pain shot through his side.
• Knifepoint (n): The sharp end of a knife.
  • He was robbed at knifepoint.

Synonyms

• Blade: The flat cutting part of a knife or tool.
• Dagger: A short knife with a pointed blade, used as a weapon.
• Cutter: A tool or device for cutting.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• Knife through something: To move through something easily and quickly, as if cutting it.
  • The speedboat knifed through the waves.

Related Idioms

• Under the knife: Undergoing surgery.
  • He went under the knife for a knee operation.
• Like a knife through butter: Very easily and without any resistance.
  • The new saw went through the wood like a knife through butter.

Noun

1. any long thin projection that is transient
   • tongues of flame licked at the walls
   • rifles exploded quick knives of fire into the dark
2. a weapon with a handle and blade with a sharp point
3. edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

Verb

1. use a knife on
   • The victim was knifed to death