knife-edge

knife-edge

1. noun A stressful situation or mindset. I am on a knife-edge right now, waiting to hear if my contract has been extended—if not, I'll need to find a new job. Our grandmother is very ill, so we are all on a knife-edge these days.
2. adjective Very crisply and neatly folded. Typically said of the pleats of a garment or textile. When you fold that tablecloth, I need to see knife-edge pleats in it! That dry-cleaner does a great job getting a knife-edge crease in my pants.
3. adjective Sharp, narrow, and hard to traverse. Typically said of topographic features, like mountains. That knife-edge mountain pass has 1,000-foot drops on either side.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • on a knife-edge
  • doo
  • edge
  • edged
  • edging
  • angle
  • angling
  • speedball
  • wear (one's) apron high
  • high, wide, and handsome
References in periodicals archive
A fully randomized test was done with two factors: (1) bit type with three levels, carbide hammer, knife-edge, and combo bits; and (2) loading method with two levels, high speed blowing and conveyor fed (gravity drop).
Effect of high speed blowing on the bulk density of ground residues
In essence the test boils down to having a point light source and knife-edge at or near the centre of curvature of the mirror and measuring the longitudinal position of the knife-edge, against the radial position of nulls or crests in the shadows appearing in the mirror.
Pushing the limits of the Foucault Test
Everton will face another few weeks on the knife-edge yet
MARK LAWRENSON: Everton won't get same gifts United gave the Canaries
This loss is approximated by the knife-edge propagation model, as shown in Figure 4.
Communications EW, Part 3--VHF/UHF propagation
The relief edge features a negative rake that acts as a knife-edge making that edge capable of cutting as well.
Two companion drills. (Cutting Tool Talk)
Avoiding both photorealist slickness and expressionistic flourish, it reads as a knife-edge balancing act between an objective and subjective register, reinforcing the play of opposites--visibility and invisibility, objectivity and subjectivity, expression and concealment--that shapes the artist's overall project.
Janice McNab: Laurent Delaye Gallery. (London)
Until it is released on October 19, we'll be on a knife-edge.
Robbie's in a ripping yarn
With the contest on a knife-edge going into last Sunday's game, Mark won it by predicting Kilmarnock to beat Saints 2-1.
THE COSGROVE CHALLENGE
PRIME Minister Tony Blair faces a knife-edge battle to retain Britain's veto over taxes when he meets European Union leaders in Nice this week.
Blair's summit test on taxes
The aluminum rain gauge housing has a 6-inch knife-edge collector ring.
Data Logging Rain Gauge
Basking sharks may not be living on the knife-edge of starvation after all.
When sharks just open wide and say yum
In its lightning changes of direction and in its knife-edge wariness, it left the realm of words far behind and dealt with pure feeling.
Ballet Preljocaj, Joyce Theater, April 15-20, 1997
MANY businesses are on a knife-edge as the threat of a double-dip recession looms ever closer, says a West Midland business expert.
'DOUBLE DIP' SLUMP FEARS
The vote could tip the balance of power in the knife-edge council.
Big day for council hopefuls
HAROLD Foster last night said his fellow farmers were living on a "knife-edge" waiting to see if they could find a new contract to sell their milk.
Farmers are 'living on a knife-edge' at sad time