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twist the knife. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
twist the knife, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
twist the knife in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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twist the knife, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Derived from the fact that the act of literally twisting a knife that is still inside someone who has just been stabbed will widen the wound and make it even more painful.
Pronunciation
Verb
twist the knife (third-person singular simple present twists the knife, present participle twisting the knife, simple past and past participle twisted the knife)
- (informal, figuratively) To deliberately do or say something to worsen a difficult situation or increase a person's distress, irritation, or anger.
2009, Lucy Dillon, Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts, Berkley, published 2011, →ISBN, page 198:"And I'm not seeing anyone," she added, just to twist the knife — in whom, she wasn't sure.
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