Phrase guide

pointy end

noun · 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

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The part of something which is the most extreme in some aspect (for example, the most difficult, the latest chronologically or the highest numerically).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Australia

Examples

  • 2018 November 28, Young, Andy, “Industry urged to engage with Sydney’s late-night trading plan”, in The Shout, archived from https://www.theshout.com.au/news/industry-urged-to-engage-with-sydneys-late-night-trading-plan/ on 27 August 2020. But the point I really want to make is that we need you, as the industry, to help make people care about [this plan]. The public consultation is the pointy end of this whole process for the 'late night map of fun'.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see pointy, end.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • at the pointy end of the plane

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.