razor-blade

A man carefully replaces the razor-blade in his shaving kit.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A thin, sharp piece of metal: A "razor-blade" is a small, flat, and extremely sharp piece of metal, typically rectangular, designed to be used in a razor for shaving hair from the skin. It is often disposable and replaced when dull.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He carefully replaced the dull razor-blade with a new one before shaving. (The thin, sharp metal piece used in a razor.)
  • The barber disposed of the used razor-blade in a safety container. (The sharp blade from a razor, now discarded after use.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be on a razor-blade edge": to be in a very tense, dangerous, or precarious situation.

  • The negotiations were on a razor-blade edge, with both sides refusing to compromise. (The situation was extremely delicate and could easily fail.)

• "razor-blade sharp": extremely sharp, like a razor-blade.

  • His intellect is razor-blade sharp, cutting through complex problems with ease. (His mind is exceptionally keen and incisive.)

Variants and Related Words

• Razor (n): a tool with a sharp blade used for shaving.

  • He used a straight razor for a traditional shave. (A tool for shaving.)

• Blade (n): the flat, sharp part of a cutting tool.

  • The blade of the knife was dull. (The cutting edge.)

Synonyms

• Shaving blade: a thin, sharp blade used for shaving.
• Safety razor blade: a blade designed for use in a safety razor.

Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms

• "to walk on razor-blades": to be in a very risky or precarious situation.
  • The company is walking on razor-blades with its current financial strategy. (The situation is dangerous and could collapse at any moment.)