cut and thrust

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR C1

Post

Figurative meaning

the vigorous back-and-forth of intense argument or competition

Word picture

Blades are pictured cutting and thrusting rapidly as each side attacks and counters.

Example

“She enjoyed the cut and thrust of the televised leadership debate.”

Dictionary details

Component words

cut thrust

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

cut and dried Neutral · CEFR C1

fully settled and clear, with little room for debate or alteration

cut loose Informal · CEFR B1

to abandon restraint and behave freely or wildly

cut both ways Neutral · CEFR B2

to produce both helpful and harmful effects or implications

cut a dash Neutral · CEFR C1

to attract admiring attention with a stylish appearance or confident manner

cut your teeth on Informal · CEFR C1

to gain your first experience of something, usually early in your career

on the one hand Neutral · CEFR B1

used to introduce the first of two contrasting points or sides of an argument

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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