bleeding edge

Register · Informal Informal — used in casual, everyday conversation among friends and family. Avoid in formal writing or professional settings. CEFR C1

Post

Figurative meaning

the very newest and most experimental technology, so new it may be unstable or unreliable

Why this phrase?

An intensification of 'cutting edge' — so sharp it draws blood, i.e. early adopters get cut.

Example

“We went with bleeding-edge models and paid for it with weekly breaking changes.”

Dictionary details

Component words

edge

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

cutting edge Neutral · CEFR B2

the most advanced stage of development; state-of-the-art

double-edged sword Neutral · CEFR C1

something that has both great benefits and serious risks

push the envelope Neutral · CEFR B2

to go beyond the limits of what is known or accepted

state of the art Neutral · CEFR B2

using the most advanced and modern techniques or technology

can of worms Informal · CEFR B1

a complicated problem that causes trouble the moment it is touched

domino effect Neutral · CEFR B1

a chain reaction in which one event triggers a series of similar events

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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