Phrase guide

cut like a knife

verb · 2 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

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To sting severely, to cause a sensation of stinging, especially said of cold weather.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: simile

Examples

  • The bitter wind cut like a knife, freezing my fingers and numbing my circulation.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To be very sharp (of a character, or remark)

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: simile

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.