Elamur: [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Parse](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/parse/) · **Dictionary** · [Translate](https://md.translate.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Research](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [MCP](https://mcp.elamur.ai/) · [Groupants](https://md.groupants.elamur.ai/free/en/)

[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/under-the-knife/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [U](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/u/) / under the knife

# under the knife

phrase (idiom, adverb phrase, «go under the knife», «be under the knife»)

«under the knife» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

(everyday) having a surgical operation.

### In the lessons

A vivid, informal way to say someone is having surgery; news and gossip use it a lot, especially for cosmetic operations. All English-speaking countries. Softer and shorter than «have an operation».

### Examples

- (news) The footballer went under the knife to fix his knee.
- (gossip) Did she go under the knife? Her nose looks different.
- (family) Grandad goes under the knife next week for a new hip.
- (chat) going under the knife tomorrow, wish me luck
- (hospital) He was under the knife for three hours.
- (doctor, plainly) You will need an operation.

### Note

Trap: no one is attacking with a knife; it means surgery. Doctors don't say it — it is media and casual talk.