IdiomBody & Senses
Swedish
Swedishunder kniven
Meaning: Undergoing surgery.
Literally: Under the knife
Example: “Pappa ska under kniven på måndag för sitt knä.” — Dad is going under the knife on Monday for his knee.
English equivalent: To go under the knife
Equivalents in other languages
French: Passer sur le billard Literally: To go onto the billiard table
English: go under the knife
Origin: The knife is the surgeon's scalpel, and being under the knife is undergoing an operation, exactly as in English. No particular story lies behind it.
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