cutting edge
8
3.6
- noun
- /ˈkʌtɪŋ ɛdʒ/
:
filo
- Always use caution when handling a knife; the cutting edge can easily cause injury.
- cutting edge technology
- remain at the cutting edge
Examples
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The cutting edge of the blade was polished to a mirror finish, enhancing its effectiveness in the kitchen.
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The medium of social media represents the cutting edge and near future of marketing products and services.
Blog text (17) -
Do you want to learn the philosophical and scientific secrets that will put you on the cutting edge of modern thought?
Academic text (2011) -
In fact, some general counsel reject management techniques that others say are on the cutting edge.
Academic text (2004) -
Pentecostalism is at the cutting edge of Christian growth in China, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Academic text (2007) -
Google's Nexus line is known for pushing the cutting edge and helping the evolution of Android along.
Blog text (21) -
BU professors give lectures to academy students about current, even cutting-edge, work being done in the professors' fields.
Academic text (2005) -
Additionally, our Continuing Education short courses feature the industry's leading professionals and experts focusing on cutting-edge technology.
Academic text (2011) -
No manned aircraft has yet been flown using such technologies, which are on the cutting edge of aerospace know-how.
Blog text (2) -
Together with the healing healthcare philosophy and cutting-edge orthopedic care, the postoperative period is managed in the spirit of love and compassion.
Academic text (2007)
Synonyms
310
1.0
The flat sharp part of a knife or sword that cuts
3
1.0
The flat sharp part of a knife used for cutting
1
4.7
A very sharp cutting edge like a knife blade
The sharp side of a knife that cuts things
How Sharp
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines 'cutting' (sharp, incisive) with 'edge' (border or advantage) to create a conventional metaphor for being at the forefront or most advanced. A learner who knows the component meanings may guess a sense of sharpness or advantage, but mapping that reliably to 'most advanced/innovative' requires recognizing a conventionalized metaphor, so it is not fully transparently compositional.
Etymology
Cutting edge first meant the very sharp side of a knife or blade, the cutting edge that does the 'cutting'. So it refers to the sharp part you must be careful with.