- cut and thrust
- noun
1. : cutting and thrusting with a sword2. : the interplay of a sharp struggle
the inevitability of war between the two … powers was implicit … in the cut and thrust necessarily concealed at the time — Times Literary Supplement
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cut and thrust1. (in fencing) the use of the edges and the point of the weapon2. Swift, shrewd and cleverly-calculated action or reaction, argument, etc (cut-and-thrustˈ adjective)• • •Main Entry: ↑cut* * *
cut and thrust,1. the action, especially in swordplay, of cutting and thrusting.2. active interplay between opposing interests: »a master at cut and thrust in debate (Wall Street Journal).
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IFencing the use of both the edge and the point of one’s sword while fighting■ a spirited and rapid interchange of viewsthe cut and thrust of political debate
■ a situation or sphere of activity regarded as carried out under adversarial conditionsIIthe ruthless cut and thrust of the business world
see cut* * *
cut and thrustchiefly Brit : the lively and exciting quality of an activity in which people compete or argue with each otherHe has always enjoyed the cut and thrust of politics.
• • •Main Entry: ↑cut————————• • •Main Entry: ↑thrust
Useful english dictionary. 2012.