sharp knife
سكين حاد
Use it literally for cutting tools and always as a safety warning when handing one to others.
In 15 Sekunden
- A blade that cuts easily and efficiently.
- Used mostly in cooking, DIY, and safety warnings.
- The opposite of a 'dull' or 'blunt' knife.
Bedeutung
This phrase describes a tool with a very thin, effective edge that cuts through things easily without much effort.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Cooking dinner with a partner
Can you pass me a sharp knife for the tomatoes?
Can you pass me a sharp knife for the tomatoes?
Warning a guest at the table
Watch out, that's a very sharp knife!
Watch out, that's a very sharp knife!
In a professional kitchen
A chef always keeps a sharp knife nearby.
A chef always keeps a sharp knife nearby.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The concept of a sharp blade is central to culinary excellence in English-speaking cultures. There is also a famous idiom, 'the sharpest tool in the shed,' which refers to someone's intelligence, though 'sharp knife' remains mostly literal.
The Tomato Test
If you want to know if a knife is truly a `sharp knife`, try to slice a tomato. If it squishes it, it's dull!
Safety First
When handing a `sharp knife` to someone, always offer the handle, not the blade. It's polite and safe.
In 15 Sekunden
- A blade that cuts easily and efficiently.
- Used mostly in cooking, DIY, and safety warnings.
- The opposite of a 'dull' or 'blunt' knife.
What It Means
A sharp knife is a blade that works exactly how it should. It slices through a tomato or a piece of steak like butter. When you say a knife is sharp, you mean it is dangerous but efficient. It is the opposite of a dull knife, which just squashes your food.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a simple description. It usually comes before the noun as a standard adjective-noun pair. You can say, "I need a sharp knife for these onions." It is straightforward and literal. You can also use it as a warning. If you hand someone a blade, you might say, "Be careful, it's a sharp knife."
When To Use It
Use it in the kitchen while cooking with friends. Use it at a dinner party if the steak is tough. It is perfect for DIY projects or camping trips too. If you are opening a stubborn cardboard box, you might ask for one. It is a very practical, everyday expression.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it to describe a person's intelligence. While we say someone is sharp, we rarely call them a sharp knife. That sounds a bit strange and robotic. Also, avoid using it for things that aren't blades. A sharp mind is a compliment, but a sharp knife is just a kitchen tool.
Cultural Background
In many Western cultures, there is an old superstition about giving a sharp knife as a gift. Some believe it "cuts" the friendship. To fix this, the receiver often gives a small coin back. This turns the gift into a "purchase." Even today, some people still stick a penny to the gift box just in case!
Common Variations
You might hear people say razor-sharp. This means it is incredibly thin and dangerous. Another variation is wicked sharp, which is common in parts of the US like Boston. If someone says a knife is scary sharp, they are impressed by how easily it cuts.
Nutzungshinweise
This is a literal, neutral phrase. There are no hidden slang meanings, making it safe to use in any environment from a home kitchen to a five-star restaurant.
The Tomato Test
If you want to know if a knife is truly a `sharp knife`, try to slice a tomato. If it squishes it, it's dull!
Safety First
When handing a `sharp knife` to someone, always offer the handle, not the blade. It's polite and safe.
The Penny Tradition
If you give a `sharp knife` as a wedding gift, tape a penny to it so the couple can 'buy' it from you to avoid bad luck.
Beispiele
6Can you pass me a sharp knife for the tomatoes?
Can you pass me a sharp knife for the tomatoes?
A standard request in a kitchen setting.
Watch out, that's a very sharp knife!
Watch out, that's a very sharp knife!
Used as a safety precaution.
A chef always keeps a sharp knife nearby.
A chef always keeps a sharp knife nearby.
Refers to professional standards and tools.
Don't leave the sharp knife in the sink, it's dangerous.
Don't leave the sharp knife in the sink, it's dangerous.
Common household safety advice.
I'd give anything for a sharp knife right now.
I'd give anything for a sharp knife right now.
Expressing frustration with a dull tool.
I need a sharp knife to get through this tape.
I need a sharp knife to get through this tape.
Using the tool for a non-cooking task.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best word to complete the warning.
Be careful when washing that ___ knife.
In the context of safety and cutting ability, 'sharp' is the most common adjective used with 'knife'.
Select the opposite of a sharp knife.
This knife can't cut anything; it's the opposite of a sharp knife, it is ___.
In English, 'dull' is the specific antonym used for blades that no longer cut well.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 'Sharp Knife'
Used at home with family.
Pass me the sharp knife.
Standard use in any setting.
I need a sharp knife.
Used in professional culinary reviews.
The chef utilized a sharp knife.
Where to use 'Sharp Knife'
Kitchen
Slicing vegetables.
Dining Room
Cutting steak.
Warehouse
Opening boxes.
Camping
Whittling wood.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot exactly. We say someone is sharp or a sharp guy, but calling them a sharp knife sounds literal and confusing.
The most common word is dull. You can also say blunt, though dull is more common in the kitchen.
Use sharp knife to describe its current state. Use sharpened knife if you want to emphasize that someone just made it sharp.
It is neutral. You can use it with your grandmother or a professional chef without changing the words.
Yes, that is perfectly correct. For example: "Be careful, that knife is very sharp."
It means the knife is as sharp as a shaving razor. It is used for emphasis.
Sometimes people use it metaphorically for 'cutting costs' or 'sharp' strategies, but usually, it stays literal.
Yes, it is one of the most common adjective-noun pairings in the English language.
No, you would say sharp scissors. The adjective sharp works for many tools, but the phrase is specific to the tool.
That refers to someone looking very well-dressed or stylish, which is different from a sharp knife.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Dull blade
A knife that is no longer sharp.
Razor-sharp
Extremely sharp, like a razor.
To sharpen a knife
The action of making a knife sharp again.
Sharp as a tack
An idiom meaning someone is very intelligent.
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