pocket knife
12
2.2
- noun
- /ˈpɑkɪt naɪf/
:
navaja
- Thank the heavens that my father-in-law carries a pocket knife and was able to slice through the seatbelt.
- pocket knife to cut
- taking a pocket knife
- small pocket knife
I mean, are we talking like a sword, a pocket knife, something in between?
- I mean, are we talking like a sword, a pocket knife, something in between?
- And in my backpack, I carry a pocket knife.
- And people say, and Musk turns to his bodyguard and says, do you have a pocket knife?
- And in that the the little boy who survived that they, he learned from his father, he says you always want a pocket knife.
- So in celebration of this magnificent addition to my pocket knife collection, I thought I'd celebrate by fixing that blade for y'all.
- But anyway, if you want sound financial advice from a dude with a free pocket knife, make sure.
- Yeah, it draws fit like I got my granddad's dad left me a pocket knife and you get nail ring taking all my shit with me.
Examples
-
I watched the two of them, leaning against the tree, picking at the bark with their pocket knives.
Fiction book (1993) -
Idly, I flicked my pocket knife open and started trimming a hangnail.
Fiction book (2001) -
I just took out my pocket knife...
-
I mean, I have a pocket knife!
-
When he finally left, he gave me his lucky pocket knife.
-
Do you have your pocket knife?
-
I have a pocket knife in my desk, is that okay?
-
Under the mountain ash stood a bearded character with a pocket knife.
Fiction book (2000) -
A good sharp pocket knife with a lock is safer to keep in the car than scissors.
Blog text (27) -
He always carries his pocket knife for emergencies while hiking.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A tool with a sharp blade and handle used for cutting or as a weapon
9
3.4
A small folding knife that you carry in your pocket
5
3.6
A small folding tool with a sharp blade for cutting small things
How Portable
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'pocket' (a small pouch) modifies 'knife' (a cutting tool) to indicate a knife intended to be carried in a pocket. This noun+noun compound follows a common, cross-linguistic naming pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the intended meaning.
Etymology
Pocket knife comes from a simple picture: a small knife that folds and fits into a pocket so you can carry it safely. So today Pocket knife means 'a small folding knife' that you keep in your pocket.