under the knife Definition

knife
noun knives

1. A cutting instrument, typically in the form of a blade fitted into a handle or into machinery, and sometimes also used for spreading. Also in compounds

Example: steak-knife
Example: butter-knife.
Thesaurus: cutter, scalpel, sickle, scythe, bodkin.
2. Such an instrument used as a weapon.

Thesaurus: blade (slang), sword, bayonet, dagger, stiletto, lance, machete, poniard.

verb knifed, knifing

1. To cut.
2. To stab or kill with a knife.

Thesaurus: stab, cut, lacerate, pierce, slash, impale, spit, lance, thrust through.
3. To try to defeat by treachery.

Derivative: knifing
noun

The act of attacking and injuring someone using a knife.

Idiom: have one's knife in someone (have one's knife into someone)

To bear a grudge against them.

To be persistently hostile or spiteful to them.

Idiom: the knives are out

colloq
The argument has taken a savage turn.

Idiom: twist the knife (in the wound)

To deliberately to increase someone's distress or embarrassment by constant reminders of the circumstances that caused it.

Idiom: under the knife

colloq
Having a surgical operation.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon cnif.

Phrasal Verb: knife into something

To penetrate it.

Phrasal Verb: knife through something

To cut through it as if with a knife.

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under
prep

1a. Below or beneath something but not in contact with it;

Example: under the table
Thesaurus: beneath, below, lower than.
1b. Below or beneath something and in contact with it.

Example: under the book
2. At the foot of.

Example: under the column
3. Less than; short of.

Example: under 10 per cent
4. Lower in rank than.

Thesaurus: beneath, below, lower than, less than, inferior to, subordinate to, subservient to, secondary to.
5. During the reign or administration of.

Example: under Queen Elizabeth II
6. Subjected to, receiving or sustaining.

Example: under consideration
Example: under pressure
7. In the category or classification of.
8. Known by.

Example: goes under the name of
9. According to.

Example: under the terms of the agreement
10. In view of; because of.

Example: under the circumstances
11. Propelled by.

Example: under sail
12. Said of a field: planted with (a particular crop).
13. astrol.
Within the influence of (a particular sign of the zodiac).

adverb

1. In or to a lower place, position or rank.
2. Into a state of unconsiousness.

adj

1. Lower.
2. Subordinate.

Idiom: under lock and key

See under key¹.

Idiom: under one's belt

See under belt¹.

Idiom: under the knife

See under knife.

Idiom: under way

Said of a process, activity, project, etc: in progress; having been instigated.
Thesaurus: going, in motion, in operation, moving, begun, started, launched, afoot.

Said of a vessel: in motion.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon.