Under the knife
phrase
Going into surgery or being operated on by a doctor.
The footballer will have to go under the knife to fix his knee injury.
Often appears as...
- go under the knife
- came under the knife
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
Going into surgery or being operated on by a doctor.
The footballer will have to go under the knife to fix his knee injury.
Often appears as...
- go under the knife
- came under the knife
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
Used to describe undergoing surgery but can be a metaphor for a major change or overhaul.
The software company is going under the knife with a complete redesign of its platform.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Tone
Common in casual conversation, it's less formal than saying 'having surgery'.
I'm a bit nervous about going under the knife next week.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Often implies apprehension or reluctance about the surgery.
After much hesitation, she decided to go under the knife to improve her health.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
Used to describe undergoing surgery but can be a metaphor for a major change or overhaul.
The software company is going under the knife with a complete redesign of its platform.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Tone
Common in casual conversation, it's less formal than saying 'having surgery'.
I'm a bit nervous about going under the knife next week.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Often implies apprehension or reluctance about the surgery.
After much hesitation, she decided to go under the knife to improve her health.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
Used to describe undergoing surgery but can be a metaphor for a major change or overhaul.
The software company is going under the knife with a complete redesign of its platform.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Tone
Common in casual conversation, it's less formal than saying 'having surgery'.
I'm a bit nervous about going under the knife next week.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Often implies apprehension or reluctance about the surgery.
After much hesitation, she decided to go under the knife to improve her health.
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