ldoce_187_fknife1 /naɪf/ ●●● S3 W3 noun (plural knives /naɪvz/) [countableC] 2 the knives are out (for somebody) informalUNFRIENDLY used to say that people are being extremely unfriendly in criticizing someone (对某人)剑拔弩张,兴师问罪 The knives are out for the vice president. 要对副总统兴师问罪了。
the knives are out (for somebody)• The service is in ferment at the moment, the knives are out. 3. twist/turn the knife (in the wound) UPSETto say something that makes someone more upset about a subject they are already unhappy about 火上浇油,落井下石twist/turn the knife (in the wound)• Saints twisted the knife with a glorious try from Tony Sullivan, set up by Gary Connolly.• The tragedy is that you have to twist the knife in your own gray matter to make this defense work. 4. stick/put etc the knife in/into someone British EnglishBrE informalUNFRIENDLY to dislike someone and be very unfriendly towards them 对某人怀恨在心,对某人极不友好 5. under the knife informalCURE having a medical operation 接受手术under the knife• Every attack was accompanied by the certain knowledge that within a couple of hours I'd be under the knife.• Again and again he goes under the knife.• Bet you didn't know Northern Ireland star Michael Hughes was under the knife several weeks ago?• Ards went under the knife last night. 6. you could cut the atmosphere/air/tension with a knife used to say that you felt the people in a room were angry with each other 〔感觉到屋内的人相互间〕气氛很不友好,使人透不过气来 7. like a (hot) knife through butter informal used to say that something happens or is done very easily, without any problems 轻而易举地like a (hot) knife through butter• Lori seemed to go through men like a knife through butter.
n COLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + knife sharpBe careful using that knife - it's very sharp.
blunt (=not sharp)The knife was so blunt it wouldn't cut anything.
a bread knifeWill you pass me the bread knife?
a kitchen knife (=a long knife used for cutting vegetables etc)Every chef has his own set of kitchen knives.
a carving knife (=for cutting meat)Dad always used to sharpen the carving knife.
a pocket knife (=a small knife that you carry with you)He was armed with nothing but a pocket knife.
knife + NOUNa knife woundShe died from a single knife wound.
a knife attackHe was sentenced to 9 years in prison for a knife attack.
knife crime (=crimes in which people are attacked with knives)Knife crime is on the increase.
phrasesthe blade of a knifeThe blade of the knife cut cleanly through the rope.
the handle of a knifeHis hand reached down to the handle of his knife.
verbscarry a knife (=have it with you)The campaign warns young people about the dangers of carrying knives.
be armed with a knife (=have it with you)One of the men was armed with a knife.
hold a knifeIn his hand, he held a long knife.
threaten somebody with a knifeThe girls were threatened with a knife.
brandish/wield a knife (=wave it around in a threatening way)A man brandishing a knife burst into the room.
sharpen a knife (=make it sharper)What's the best way to sharpen a knife?