knife edge

/naɪf ɛdʒ/
noun
  1. The very sharp edge of a knife blade.
    • The chef tested the knife-edge by cutting a tomato with one smooth motion.
    • He honed the knife-edge until it could slice through paper easily.
    • Be careful not to touch the knife-edge; it's extremely sharp.
  2. A critical or precarious situation where the outcome is uncertain.
    • The company's finances were balanced on a knife-edge, ready to tip either way.
    • His recovery from surgery was on a knife-edge for several days.
    • The election results hung on a knife-edge, with both candidates nearly tied.
adjective
  1. Extremely sharp or precise; having a very fine edge.
    • The knife-edge blade cut through the rope effortlessly.
    • She used a knife-edge chisel to carve the fine details.
    • The knife-edge ridge of the mountain was too dangerous to climb.
  2. Very tense, critical, or finely balanced.
    • They lived in a knife-edge balance between success and failure.
    • The match reached a knife-edge moment in the final seconds.
    • The negotiations were in a knife-edge state, with no room for error.
What does "knife edge" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean