the knives are out
Meaning: People are openly hostile and ready to attack someone, usually to bring them down.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “After the poll results, the knives are out for the party leader.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: A mainly British expression of the mid-20th century, often used of politics; the image is of rivals with blades drawn.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: aiguiser ses couteaux — literally: to sharpen one's knives
More idioms — Daily Life
- lay it on with a trowel — To flatter or exaggerate very heavily and without subtlety.
- go down fighting — To keep struggling until the very end, even when defeat is certain.
- that's all she wrote — That is the end of it; there is nothing more.
- the butt of the joke — The person everyone laughs at or makes fun of.
- roll in the hay — To have casual sex.
- pull an all-nighter — To stay up all night, usually to study or work.
More English idioms
- cross the Rubicon — To take an irreversible step.
- like a bear with a sore head — In a very bad, irritable mood.
- dead on one's feet — To be utterly exhausted.
- fall flat on one's face — To fail completely and embarrassingly.
- burst someone's bubble — To destroy someone's illusion or happy belief.
- prick up one's ears — To suddenly start listening closely.
From our compliments & insults
- حمار (ḥimār) — A stubborn fool — the donkey being the universal symbol of obstinacy in Arabic culture.
- Je bent een kanjer — You're a star — a champ and a wonderful person.
- Золотые руки (Zolotye ruki) — You're wonderfully skilled with your hands — a true master at making and fixing things.