ENGLISH
REFERENCE

stick the knife in

idiom
Meaning

To say or do something deliberately and unnecessarily malicious.


Examples
SIMPLE

He really stuck the knife in with that mean comment.

CONTEXTUAL

Just when she was already feeling bad about her mistake, he stuck the knife in by criticizing her work in front of everyone.

COMPLEX

Despite her attempts to reconcile, he chose to stick the knife in, reminding her of every past failure during the most public moment of her career.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    beat off with a stick

    To reject (a person making an unwanted amorous approach).

  2. 02

    beat with the ugly stick

    Used to describe someone who is particularly ugly or unattractive.

  3. 03

    bring a knife to a gunfight

    To enter into a confrontation or other challenging situation without being adequately equipped or prepared.

  4. 04

    carrot and stick

    The simultaneous rewarding of good behavior and punishing of bad behavior.

  5. 05

    catch a falling knife

    To buy a financial instrument whose price is falling rapidly.

  6. 06

    clue stick

    A metaphorical stick used to beat information or understanding into a slow learner.

  7. 07

    get on the stick

    To get started; to begin working; to become active.

  8. 08

    hit with the stupid stick

    Used to describe someone who is stupid or unintelligent.

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