knife

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noun (plural knives /nīvz/)

• an instrument composed of a blade fixed into a handle, used for cutting or as a weapon.
• a cutting blade forming part of a machine.

verb

[with object]

• stab (someone) with a knife.
• [no object] cut like a knife:a shard of steel knifed through the mainsail

Phrases

before you can say knife

informal very quickly; almost instantaneously.

(so thick that) you could cut (it) with a knife

(of an accent, atmosphere, or sentiment) very obvious:the patriotism was so thick that you could cut it with a knife a southern accent you could cut with a knife

go (or be) under the knife

informal have surgery.

the knives are out (for someone)

informal there is open hostility (toward someone).

like a (hot) knife through butter

very easily; without any resistance or difficulty:antiaircraft fire would slice through the car like a hot knife through butter

stick (or get) the knife into (or in) someone

informal do something hostile or aggressive to someone.

twist (or turn) the knife (in the wound)

deliberately make someone’s sufferings worse.

Derivatives

knifelike

Pronunciation: /-ˌlīk/

adjective

knifer

noun

Origin:

late Old English cnīf, from Old Norse knífr, of Germanic origin

Change the -fe to -ves to make the plurals of nouns that end in a consonant or a single vowel plus -f or -fe: (knives).