Phrase guide

cut and thrust

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The use of vehement arguments.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, uncountable

Examples

  • He never got used to the cut and thrust of political debate.
  • For quotations using this term, see Citations:cut and thrust.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

A metaphor referring to swordplay.