sharpsharp1 /ʃɑːp $ ʃɑːrp/ ●●● S3 W2 adjective (comparative sharper, superlative sharpest) 
Make sure you use a good sharp knife. Its teeth are razor sharp (=very sharp).2turn a sharp turn or bend changes direction suddenly: We came to a sharp bend in the road.sharp left/right Take a sharp left after the church.3increase/change a sharp increase, rise, fall etc happens suddenly and is great in amount SYN steep: a sharp increase in prices a sharp fall in unemployment4difference sharp differences are very big and very noticeable: sharp differences of opinion There is a sharp distinction between domestic and international politics. His honesty is in sharp contrast to (=very different from) some other politicians.5pain/feelings a sharp pain or feeling is sudden and severe OPP dull: I felt a sharp pain in my back. I was left with a sharp sense of disappointment.6disapproving speaking in a way that shows you disapprove of something or are annoyed OPP mild: a sharp rebuke John’s tone was sharp. The boss can be very sharp with people when she’s busy.somebody has a sharp tongue (=they speak in a very disapproving way which often upsets people)7intelligent able to think and understand things very quickly, and not easily deceived OPP dull, stupid: a journalist with an extremely sharp mind8keep a sharp eye on somebody to watch someone very carefully, especially because you do not trust them: Keep a sharp eye on the kids at all times!9pencil having a very thin point that can draw an exact line OPP blunt: Make sure your pencils are sharp before we begin the test.10sound a sharp sound or cry is loud, short, and sudden: a sharp cry of pain a sharp intake of breath11taste having a slightly bitter taste OPP mild: sharp cheddar cheese Add mustard to give the dressing a sharper taste.12clothes attractive and fashionable SYN smart British English: Tod looked really sharp in his tux. a sharp suit13shape not rounded or curved: sharp features Her mother had a sharp little nose.14image/picture if an image or picture is sharp, you can see all the details very clearly OPP fuzzy: The outlines of the trees were sharp and clear.15good at noticing things able to see and notice details very wella sharp eye for detail (=the ability to notice and deal with details)16music a)F sharp/D sharp/C sharp etc a musical note that is sharp has been raised by one semitone from the note F, D, C etc b)if music or singing is sharp, it is played or sung at a slightly higher pitch than it should be → flat1(9), → natural1(10)17weather sharp wind/frost a very cold wind or a severe frost: A sharp wind blew across the lake.18sharp practice British English behaviour, especially in business, that is dishonest but not illegal: He’s been guilty of sharp practice in the past.19be on the sharp end (of something) British English informal to experience the worst effects of something: We were always on the sharp end of clients’ complaints.—sharpness noun [uncountable] → sharplyTHESAURUSsharp having a very thin edge or point that can cut things easily: · a sharp knife· The dog’s teeth were very sharp.· Be careful. That knife’s very sharp.· You’ll need some sharp scissors.· Puppies mean to be playful, but their sharp teeth can give you a nasty bite.jagged having an irregular edge with a lot of sharp points: · a jagged rock· The floor was covered with jagged pieces of glass.spiky having a lot of thin sharp points: · a spiky cactus plant· The hedgehog uses its spiky fur for protection.· Some corals are quite smooth, others are sharp and spiky.prickly covered in a lot of small sharp points – used mainly about plants: · a prickly bush· prickly leaves· The hedge was all prickly.serrated a serrated edge on a saw or knife has a lot of sharp points on it: · It’s best to use a knife with a serrated edge.razor-sharp extremely sharp: · The cat had razor-sharp claws.not sharpblunt not sharp – used about tools, weapons, or pencils: · All the kitchen knives were blunt.· a blunt pencil· The woman had been attacked with a blunt instrument.
WORD ORIGINsharp1
Origin:
Old English scearpEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "Clear, sharp photos every time," the advertisement promised.
- sharp Cheddar cheese
- a sharp rise in prices
- a sharp young attorney
- Be careful. That knife's very sharp.
- Hey, you look sharp. Where'd you get the suit?
- I like this marmalade. It's very sharp.
- lawyers in sharp suits
- Lichtenstein's paintings are full of colours and sharp outlines - almost like children's comics.
- Mia has a sharp nose and very dark eyes.
- Paula's a very sharp dresser, so I always have her go shopping with me.
- Peel the apples using a sharp knife.
- Puppies mean to be playful, but their sharp teeth can give you a nasty bite.
- The drink had a very sharp lemony taste.
- The lemon juice gives the dressing its sharp flavour.
- The wind blew across the lake in sharp gusts.
- There's no point lying to her - she's much too sharp.
- There is not always a sharp distinction between murder and manslaughter.
- This TV set gives you a very sharp picture.
- Those lawyers are razor sharp, and you've got to be careful about every single word you say.
- A very sharp increase might have persuaded some Fed officials to push for higher rates to restrain inflation.
- After a sharp turn in the path, they are suddenly approaching a faint square of light.
- Colours were brighter, but less sharp.
- Her skin is wrinkled, her face cruel and knowing, her fingers bony and sharp.
- That puts the importance of the order in sharp focus.
- The chill in the air caught me by surprise, a sharp mountain night breeze.
- The clarity of light throws everything into sharp relief against a backdrop of clear blue sky.
- The current offensive has provoked a sharp recession, with investment, construction, travel and commerce suffering badly.
THESAURUS
having a very thin edge or point that can cut things easily: · a sharp knife· The dog’s teeth were very sharp.· Be careful. That knife’s very sharp.· You’ll need some sharp scissors.· Puppies mean to be playful, but their sharp teeth can give you a nasty bite.
having an irregular edge with a lot of sharp points: · a jagged rock· The floor was covered with jagged pieces of glass.
having a lot of thin sharp points: · a spiky cactus plant· The hedgehog uses its spiky fur for protection.· Some corals are quite smooth, others are sharp and spiky.
covered in a lot of small sharp points – used mainly about plants: · a prickly bush· prickly leaves· The hedge was all prickly.
a serrated edge on a saw or knife has a lot of sharp points on it: · It’s best to use a knife with a serrated edge.
extremely sharp: · The cat had razor-sharp claws.
not sharp not sharp – used about tools, weapons, or pencils: · All the kitchen knives were blunt.· a blunt pencil· The woman had been attacked with a blunt instrument.
Longman Language Activatorsharp something that is sharp can easily cut things or make holes in them, because it has a very narrow blade or point: · Be careful. That knife's very sharp.· You'll need some sharp scissors.· Puppies mean to be playful, but their sharp teeth can give you a nasty bite.
extremely sharp and possibly dangerous: · His sword was a wicked weapon, three feet in length and razor-sharp.· Over millions of years, some of the reptiles developed razor-sharp teeth.
long, thin, and ending in a point: · He picked up a pointed stick and began drawing in the sand.· a plant with long pointed leaves
having an irregular edge with a lot of sharp points: · Many ships have been torn apart on the jagged rocks that ring the shoreline.· The window had gone, and the floor was covered with jagged pieces of glass.
having a lot of points: · He had a leather jacket and short, spiky hair.· Some corals are quite smooth, others are sharp and spiky.· a spiky cactus plant
something that is prickly , especially a plant, is covered in a lot of sharp points: · Keep prickly plants and bushes away from any paths and seats in the garden.· Sea urchins and starfish feel prickly to the touch.
to make something sharp · Nick sat down at his desk, sharpened his pencil and began to draw.· My mother used a special stone to sharpen kitchen knives.
not sharp · I cut myself shaving with a blunt razor.· It's difficult to achieve a good result if you use blunt tools.· a blunt pencila blunt instrument (=something not sharp used as a weapon) · Police say the victim was hit with a blunt instrument, possibly a hammer.
photographs/images/pictures · High-definition television is amazing. The picture is so clear.· The images of Mars sent back by the Voyager satellite are amazingly clear.
very clear, especially because the edges of objects are very easy to see: · "Clear, sharp photos every time," the advertisement promised.· Lichtenstein's paintings are full of colours and sharp outlines - almost like children's comics.
photographs, films, or images that are in focus have been photographed or filmed from the correct distance or with the camera correctly set, so that everything in the pictures is clear: · Several of the photos weren't in focus.· Roy adjusted the TV set so that the picture was in sharper focus.
dishonest behaviour dishonest behaviour: · Are you accusing me of dishonesty?· The report accuses both politicians of dishonesty and of misrepresenting the facts.
when someone who works for the government, the police etc uses their power dishonestly to get money or gain an advantage: · The chief of police was forced to resign after allegations of corruption.· The administration has frequently been accused of corruption and abuse of power.widespread corruption: · Corruption has become so widespread there that you almost can't imagine the system working without it.
when someone offers money to a politician or government official in order to persuade them to do something: · Officials said the bribery investigation would continue.· US firms are alleged to have used bribery to win contracts.· Several politicians are linked to the bribery and sex scandal.bribery and corruption: · One of Murrow's chief campaign promises was to do something about bribery and corruption.
American dishonest behaviour by politicians who accept money from companies in return for helping them: · Stevens was in court yesterday facing charges of graft and tax evasion.· A major investigation is underway to root out graft there, he said.
British business activities or ways of making money that are clever and dishonest, though not actually illegal: · We couldn't discover anything specific, but there was definitely some sharp practice going on.· His grandfather had made a fortune out of a piece of commercial sharp practice in the 19th century.
dishonest activities that are designed to gain political advantage, for example by spreading false information about your opponents: · Burrows denied that members of his election staff had been involved in dirty tricks.· The book focuses on the dirty tricks, break-ins, and illegal campaign contributions of the 1972 presidential election.dirty tricks campaign: · They had carried out a dirty tricks campaign to discredit opposition leaders.
quick to understand or make decisions intelligent and able to understand things quickly: · Some children in the class are quicker than others.· She's very quick and able -- seems to pick things up in no time.quick at (doing) something: · Craig was always quick at maths, but he had trouble with reading and writing.
someone who is sharp understands things very quickly, especially so that it is difficult to deceive or confuse them: · There's no point lying to her - she's much too sharp.razor sharp (=extremely sharp): · Those lawyers are razor sharp, and you've got to be careful about every single word you say.
able to understand things quickly and to answer people in an intelligent way: · John was always so quick-witted that I used to think he would have made a good secret agent.· Throughout a lifetime of public service, he proved himself a quick-witted negotiator.
a wise person makes good decisions and gives good advice, because they have a lot of experience of life - use this especially about older people: · She was a wise old woman, and we all valued her advice.· Burton didn't like what he was hearing, but he was wise enough to keep his thoughts to himself.
spoken informal someone who is quick on the uptake learns new things and understands a situation very quickly: · You're very quick on the uptake! How did you guess?· We're looking for new staff - people who are neat, enthusiastic and quick on the uptake.
with a sour taste food that is sour , especially fruit, has a taste that stings your tongue slightly, like a lemon does: · The strawberries are a little sour - you may need to put sugar on them.· Kvass is a mild beer that is sometimes used in Russian cooking for its sour flavor.
fruits that are tart , especially apples, sting your tongue and make water come into your mouth: · This tart citrus dressing is great on salads.· Red currants are quite tart and usually need sugar or honey.
having a strong but pleasant taste that stings your tongue: · The drink had a very sharp lemony taste.· I like this marmalade. It's very sharp.· The lemon juice gives the dressing its sharp flavour.
having a fresh, pleasant taste that stings your tongue slightly: · The orange juice had a delicious tangy taste.· We made a tangy mayonnaise from yoghurt and honey.
wearing good clothes and looking tidy wearing good or expensive clothes: · The photograph showed a well-dressed man in his early 50s.· The young woman with the children looked too well-dressed to be a nanny.· He walked into the party with a beautiful well-dressed blonde on his arm.
British if you look smart or your clothes are smart , you are dressed in an attractive way and you look very tidy: · The editor was slim, smart and dark-haired.· You look really smart today, Chris. Have you got a job interview?· The waitresses were the smartest ones I'd ever seen.· That's a smart suit, Sam.
If you look neat or if you have neat clothes, the clothes you are wearing are clean, ironed, and fit you properly: · She had been waiting there all night, but she still looked neat.· A man in a neat gray suit sat on the other side of the bar.neat and clean: · They didn't have much money, but the children were always neat and clean.
well-dressed enough for meeting people, socially or in your job: · We don't have to wear suits for work, but we do have to look presentable.· Arnold was a very presentable young fellow.
someone who is well-groomed has clean, neat hair, wears good clothes, and looks as if they have spent a lot of time and money on their appearance: · She's marrying a well-groomed successful businessman named Paul.· Ambassadors' wives are expected to look fashionable and well-groomed.
dressed in a way that shows you have good judgement about what clothes look good on you and what other people will admire: · Hey, you look sharp. Where'd you get the suit?sharp dresser: · Paula's a very sharp dresser, so I always have her go shopping with me.
a man, especially a small man, who is dapper wears neat, tidy clothes and is generally very smart in appearance: · The Captain was a dapper little man with a neat moustache and shiny shoes.· Graham walked into the restaurant, looking dapper in a grey business suit.
someone who is well turned out has taken care that their clothes and general appearance are clean and neat, for example for a special occasion: · Nico looked trim and well turned out in a new dark suit.· The principal expected everyone to be well turned out on graduation day.
informal clothes that are snazzy are bright, colourful, and attractive: · I love those snazzy little silk dresses.· There were racks and racks of snazzy swimming trunks.· Dale spun around the dance floor in a snazzy blue suit.
WORD SETSacid, adjectiveacidic, adjectivebitter, adjectivebittersweet, adjectivebland, adjectivechalky, adjectivechocolatey, adjectivefishy, adjectivefloury, adjectivefoul, adjectivegamey, adjectivegamy, adjectiveminty, adjectivemoreish, adjectivenutty, adjectivepalatable, adjectivepalate, nounpeppery, adjectiveplummy, adjectiveripe, adjectivesavour, nounsavoury, adjectivesharp, adjectivesmooth, adjectivesoapy, adjectivesour, adjectivespearmint, nounsweet, adjectivesweet-and-sour, adjectivesweetness, nountang, nountaste, verbvanilla, adjectivevinegary, adjectivezing, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Its teeth are razor sharp (=very sharp). Take a sharp left after the church. His honesty is in sharp contrast to (=very different from) some other politicians. The boss can be very sharp with people when she’s busy. There was a sharp crack as the branch broke off. sharp cutbacks in the military budget The results showed a sharp drop in profits. the sharp fall in the birth rate in European countries When you’re driving, keep a sharp lookout (=watch extra carefully) for cyclists. He was about to make a sharp retort. ‘You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.’ Michelle shot him a furious glance. Jack shot an anxious look at his mother. There’s a sharp turn coming up ahead. His sharp wit had them all smiling.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
Its teeth are razor sharp (=very sharp). Take a sharp left after the church. His honesty is in sharp contrast to (=very different from) some other politicians. The boss can be very sharp with people when she’s busy. (=they speak in a very disapproving way which often upsets people)
(=the ability to notice and deal with details)
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=a curve that changes direction suddenly)· That road sign means you are approaching a sharp bend.
(=loud and quick)· There was a sharp click, and the panel opened like a tiny door.
(=very great)· There is a sharp contrast between the type of people who read the two newspapers.
· The mountains stand in stark contrast to the area around them.
· We are still getting some sun, in marked contrast to last year’s everlasting grey skies.
(=very curved and difficult to drive around)· Go slowly because there’s a sharp corner up ahead.
There was a sharp crack as the branch broke off. (=involving angry feelings)· The prison system has been the object of fierce criticism.
(=loud, short, and sudden)· He gave a sharp cry of pain.
(=one that turns suddenly in another direction)· There's a tight curve in the road up ahead.
(=big and sudden reductions)· He resigned over drastic cuts in the education budget.
sharp cutbacks in the military budget (=by a large amount)· The higher prices caused a sharp decline in sales.
formal (=strong disagreement)· There were sharp disagreements between Republicans and Democrats.
(=very clear)· The president drew a sharp distinction between his party and the Republican Party.
The results showed a sharp drop in profits. (=one that shows someone disapproves of something or is annoyed)· The proposed bill provoked some sharp exchanges in the House of Commons.
the sharp fall in the birth rate in European countries (=a sudden severe frost)· There had been a sharp frost overnight.
· My hearing isn't as good as it used to be.· Owls and other predatory birds have very acute hearing.
(=large and sudden)· What has led to this dramatic increase in prices?
· Be careful using that knife - it's very sharp.
When you’re driving, keep a sharp lookout (=watch extra carefully) for cyclists.· Peeling off the tape after the paint has dried leaves a clear outline to the shapes.
(=short but severe)· She felt a sharp pain in the back of her throat.
(=large and quick)· High interest rates brought about a sharp reduction in sales.
(=strong or unpleasant)· This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers police officers face every day.
He was about to make a sharp retort. (=great and sudden)· There’s been a sharp rise in house prices.
‘You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.’ Michelle shot him a furious glance. Jack shot an anxious look at his mother.· A few sharp taps with a hammer will force the nail through the surface.
· The fish has small but very sharp teeth.
There’s a sharp turn coming up ahead. His sharp wit had them all smiling.· It was about eight inches long, double edged and as sharp as a razor.· Roper, who is as sharp with a put-down as he is with a knockdown, has run out of worthy opponents.· The rain fell almost horizontally, its bite as sharp as darts.· She saw herself, all of her, as sharp.· Steel threaded through her muscles, and her senses became as sharp as a cat's.· He was a tallish man with a mind as sharp as a razor.· A searching, frantic hand savagely grasped Maggie's hip, and she yelped as sharp nails pierced her skin.· Dan comments' Paceley was as sharp as a tack and super dependable.
· At nine o'clock sharp, the party chieftains met in John Major's room.· Tony's gon na bring up the lorry at six o'clock sharp on Saturday night.
NOUN· His lack of hypocrisy is in sharp contrast to some politicians.· In sharp contrast, growth in the incomes of those in general or family practice has barely declined.· Last year's prodigy, in sharp contrast, endured the most miserable day of his short and spectacular formula one career.· Cactus-covered buttes stand in sharp contrast to the blue water, making this an idyllic spot for a getaway.· Her simple, dusty clothes made a sharp contrast with the rich fabrics around her.· That was in sharp contrast to a 6. 5 % decline for all of 1994.· Such sharp contrasts are partly the consequence of inequalities of income earlier in life.· Either would be in sharp contrast to pre-settlement times, when pines represented 90 percent of the forest.
· Sometimes a sharp crack and something falling into darkness.· The umbrella fell to the floor with a sharp crack of the ferrule on the tile.· We're used to the sharp cracks of lightning and the belch of thunder issuing from the belly of the sky.· The bomb detonated with a sharp crack, sending tiny but razor-sharp pieces of metal into the backs of the gun crews.· I was telling myself that it would soon be over when I heard a sharp crack.· Her head hit the concrete with a sharp crack.· The sharp crack of the pistol always brought her awake, cold and shivering.· Off in the distance, sharp cracks of gunfire and the occasional dull blast of dynamite interrupted the rural drumming.
· Hart has attracted some sharp criticism, especially from Otago and southern parts of the South Island.· That measure drew sharp criticism from Gov.· The sharpest criticism levelled was that the collection amounted to little more than a reshuffling.· But while Mr Mitterrand won praise and respect abroad, he often drew sharp criticism at home, especially from conservative commentators.
· During Ellis's tenure at Kurunagala cattle stealing went into a sharp decline, but as soon as he left the district it revived.· The sharpest decline, 7 percent, was among children aged 10-14, according to the Justice Department figures released Thursday.· This led to an especially sharp decline during the 1960s, from over half a million to well under 300,000.· February gasoline suffered a sharper decline, down 1. 83 cents at 58. 65 cents a gallon.· But the sharp decline in peasant disturbances in the pre-war years pointed to peaceful development.· In the 1720s the use of walnut went into sharp decline and it was replaced by mahogany.· The evidence pointed to a sharp decline in guerrilla prowess.· In the upland region an old-established pastoral economy and the local industry that supported it was in sharp decline.
· Miss Diane died of a brain haemorrhage after a sharp difference of opinion with the producer about salary.· One person familiar with their work said there have been some sharp differences of thinking between the male and female members.· Undoubtedly it was the sharp difference in personalities that first prompted talk that Nicky was not the man for the throne.· Both sides will argue vehemently that there are sharp differences between the parties, and there are.· None the less, the sharp differences in survival curves between the three comorbidity groups indicate that this simple categorisation was valid.· The sharpest difference between the two is seen in their views of the role of language in intellectual development.· There has been a sharp difference over what its price tag should look like.· Teachers' status and length of teaching experience are also associated with sharp differences in the attitudes represented by this factor.
· All sports came to make sharp distinctions between those who received payment and those who did not.· A sharp distinction between soma and germ line makes it possible to prevent acquired characters from being transmitted.· The proliferation of retention of title clauses requires a sharp distinction to be drawn between contracts of sale and agency.· There is no sharp distinction between the later stages of transition and the earlier ones of turbulent motion.· Behaviouralists drew a sharp distinction between normative and scientific statements, and made it the hallmark of science to avoid the normative.
· A sharp drop in population coupled with forest regeneration in the Basin of Pátzcuaro may have significantly reduced erosion.· One reason: a sharp drop in the number of undergraduate students choosing economics as a major.· The resulting sharp drop in its levels causes the lining of the womb, along with the unfertilised egg, to be shed.· The decline was in part due to a sharp drop in gasoline prices.· Far better to await a further sharp drop in mortgage rates into the high or even middling single digits.· Last year, a sharp drop in interest rates boosted the value of a 30-year Treasury bond by more than 30 percent.· Cuts in salaries, bonuses and overtime payments have reduced many family-incomes and caused a sharp drop in consumer spending.· Nevertheless, he said the sharp drop in the book-to-bill came as a surprise.
· Again do not round over the sharp edges when sanding.· Every aspect of my real estate practice presents sharp edges, you see.· I also learned not to step on the shiny ones and that red pebbles usually have sharp edges on top.· There are no sharp edges and nothing rough.· She felt the sharp edge of his teeth trying to force her lips apart and tasted blood.· I could see the metal barrel of a pistol, or the sharp edge of an army knife.· It needed a really sharp edge and just a light brushing with the cutter to form some of these parts.· The wound is of linear character with sharp edges.
· And all of this is inevitable, for Utopians are ill at ease at the sharp end of politics.· The effect of these changes will be far-reaching and transport will, in many respects, be at the sharp end.· All three came from the Midlands and had been at the sharp end of the business as salesmen for distribution companies.· Meadowlark-his first name is used just once-finds himself at the sharp end of all of the culture shock.· Our aim is to ensure that we become more efficient and enhance the effectiveness of our sharp end research.· This was the commission's first visit to meet people at the sharp end of the system.· They were at the sharp end of an operation conceived at the Oxford based company Unipart.· I wanted to invite Virginia back to the unit to show her what these rationalisations will really mean at the sharp end.
· Their sharp eyes select the lowest part of the lip of the fall.· As a teen-ager, I kept a sharp eye on who was winning the prizes I wanted: Honor Roll.· She is the insider with the sharp eye of an outsider.· And it is for that reason he admonishes his crew to keep a sharp eye for whales.· She was a small, tough girl - determined, opinionated, with light brown hair and quick, sharp eyes.· I keep a sharp eye on him.· And she had rarely met anyone with a sharper eye, or a truer judgement on people.· You, old sharp eyes, are going to collect at 40-1.
· An inadequate person in a job can lead to a sharp fall in morale or sales.· The first and most striking thing about these figures is the sharp fall which they show.· And unemployment generally brings a sharp fall in income.· There has been a sharp fall in the number of reported rapes involving strangers; these account for 12 % of attacks.· As a result we have seen a sharp fall in the numbers who sleep rough on our streets.· This period has seen a sharp fall in the average rate of growth as compared to the earlier post-war experience.· However, in April there were further sharp falls in the price of shares and the value of the yen.· However, a sharp fall in the dollar would be awkward for the Fed.
· That puts the importance of the order in sharp focus.· At most ski resorts, large and small, there has been a sharper focus on day-care facilities and staff.· The banning of the annual sea dump brought the issue of nuclear waste disposal into even sharper focus.· Programs designed to motivate patients into leaving voluntarily brought into sharp focus conflicting institutional dynamics inherent in the leprosarium setting.· In recent years this has been brought into sharp focus with growing public concern for a healthier and safer environment.· Everything was in sharp focus, the horizon was a clear line dividing sea and sky; more rain about.· Fast Forward Advanced At this level, there is a much sharper focus on authentic listening and speaking.· Until now, long-sighted people have to wear glasses or contact lenses to see the world in sharp focus.
· Lessingham gave him one sharp glance.· He took in her formal outfit and the case in her hand with one sharp glance.· She halted half way across the carpet, and was aware of his sharp glance going over her bespectacled face and shapeless suit.· She felt her toes curl, but couldn't help giving him a sharp glance.
· Book illustration is a field marked by sharp increases in price over the last two decades.· Individual communities saw their own sharp increases in adult cases, with devastating results.· By 1948 another sharp increase to 19,765 had occurred, with the average daily population exceeding 20,000 in July of that year.· The sharpest increases were in California and New York, the group said.· As motorists have found to their cost, the result has been a sharp increase in petrol prices at the pump.· The policy shift was triggered by a sharp increase in violent crimes committed by young offenders during the late 1980s.· The decay of Britain's roads has been reflected in a sharp increase in central government's spending on road maintenance.· About 14 percent of the civilian population is enrolled in Medicaid, a sharp increase from 10 percent in 1990.
· One uncle starts a discussion of whether a stick and sharp knife is better than scissors.· Use the sharp knife to cut off the crusts.· Scrape a large sharp knife across the surface, shaving off rolls of very fine chocolate.· Using a sharp knife, remove all of the white pith, which is quite bitter.· You know this because you have prodded one of the pieces with the tip of a sharp knife.· Remove the skin by scraping with a sharp knife.· Here a handful of pages had been removed with scissors or a sharp knife.· That night she must hide a sharp knife and a lamp near her bed.
· But despite its sharp looks, underneath the Herald was seriously dated, even in 1959.· He gave her a sharp look, but said nothing.· Out on the flats there is nothing to hide behind and the birds must keep a sharp look out for trouble.· Or kept a sharper look out for the paparazzi.
· It was more than a headache; it was like a sharp pain right through the brain.· A loud buzz erupted above his head, and sharp pains tore at his cheeks and scalp.· A sharp pain twisted in Theda's guts.· The former Scarborough player felt a sharp pain in a knee against Scunthorpe United.· And suddenly a sharp pain as if stabbed in the gut.· Then one day at school I got a sharp pain in my stomach.· Irritating, pricking, stitching sharp pain in the point of the fracture.· When she went to fetch the water she felt sharp pains rushing through her body.
· In it he mentions several examples of sharp practice in the laboratory, one or two of which are new to me.· At times these adjustments verge on sharp practice enabled by the fact that ingredients do not have to be revealed.· Any kind of sharp practice or dishonest dealing will infallibly ruin his career.· But trams also had to face some sharp practice from competing bus companies.· Recognising sharp practice in their dealers from the outset, they would be less likely to blame them for huge losses.
· The reason for the sharp reduction is more security doors, screens, lighting, and alarms.· The result has been a saving on energy of Aus$90,000 a year and a sharp reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide..· Mr. Heathcoat-Amory Yes, the sharpest reduction in disconnections for debt has occurred since the companies were put into the private sector.· However, other observers attributed the sharp reduction in rainfall to the accelerated destruction of tropical forests.· One of the consequences of the 1988 drought was a sharp reduction in the set-aside programme.· That's led to a sharp reduction in the volume of other rubbish that's collected in the normal way.
· The clarity of light throws everything into sharp relief against a backdrop of clear blue sky.· Such excellence threw the next hour into even sharper relief with two sides growing increasingly scrappy.· The dark sky had forced an eerie light on to the buildings, causing colours to jump out in sharp relief.· A further trick of the light throws their roller-coaster ridge into sharp relief, like a cardboard cut-out.· Miles used his connection with the starpod to dim the chamber lights, and the stars sprang into sharp relief.· The above brief account throws into sharp relief the essential differences between the Keynesian and classical theories of labour market adjustment.· The literature throws into sharp relief the essential dichotomy in the approach to this issue between economics and economic history.· Moreover, although these issues were thrown into sharp relief during the Thatcher administrations, Labour governments had been hardly more liberal.
· For this you turn sharp right off the road from Saint-Jean to Saint-Palais, about half-way between those two towns.· Pass over a broken wall and turn sharp right.· The track emerges on to a forestry lane, taking a sharp right and continuing on the lane.· I went up the stairs, turned sharp right and there were another eight stairs.· At the three stone cairns turn sharp right and head downhill to the edge of the forest.· Walk along the road until you come to Overton Hall Farm where you bear sharp right down bend in track.
· A further important consequence was the more rapid implementation of planned petrochemical projects in response to sharp rises in oil production and oil prices.· The sharpest rise in shop sales for almost 12 years encouraged hopes that the worst of the recession is over.· However, its wholesale introduction would mean a sharp rise in prices.· The immediate effect was a sharp rise in prices, but inflation then came under control.· They have coincided with a sharp rise in refugees taking advantage of liberal asylum laws.· There, a sharp rise in interest rates popped the market's speculative bubble.· Rise in long-term unemployment There's been a sharp rise in the number of people out of work for more than a year.· The charges for prescriptions have seen the sharpest rise - an increase of no less than 1,425 percent between 1979 and 1990.
· Only that you have a sharp tongue and an undisciplined sister, neither of which attributes I find endearing.· Oh, she has the sharpest tongue!· She was still slightly in awe of Violette, her worldliness, her sharp tongue.· How I try to punish my parents with my sharp tongue.· They opened their mouths to show her sharp tongues and teeth, ready to bite, gobble her up.· If Toyah cuts that easily she'd better watch herself on Linda's sharp tongue.· Nobody but nobody commented on Maggie's shapely form - not unless they wanted acid dripping on them from that sharp tongue.· The men are white-haired and silent, the women dark-haired with sharp tongues.
· A vast pink tongue was hanging out of the creature's mouth between a pair of the longest, sharpest teeth imaginable.· Combat Bonus A charging war boar is a bad-tempered mound of bloody-minded muscle and bone with pointy tusks and sharp teeth.· My sharp teeth sink themselves into its nose.· Tom's work mostly involves checking for sharp teeth and rasping them smooth.· It has relatively large eyes and a small mouth, with small sharp teeth on both upper and lower jaws.· Unlike most dinosaurs it had sharp teeth with which it ate smaller creatures.· Piglets are born with sharp teeth.· It opened its mouth, growling deep in its throat in a display of wickedly sharp teeth.
· A sharp turn to the south east took us past St Ives, and up a massive sand-filled estuary towards Hayle.· The road made a last sharp turn and ran straight west along the shoreline into Angle Inlet.· However her outspoken opinions mask an iron determination matched by a formidable charm and sharp turn of phrase.· After a sharp turn in the path, they are suddenly approaching a faint square of light.· Their wings do not normally come into contact, but even so there are problems when the dragonfly executes sharp turns.· His feet and hands kept striking stone corners, sharp turns, and massive columns difficult to circumvent.· Another sharp turn sent them soaring out of a tunnel mouth in the side of a vast cavern.· Ro and Brent do the carrying, negotiating sharp turns in the stairwell.
· Ice creams and lollies seem to benefit from the sharp wit of its frosting.· Revealing his conclusion would spoil the fun because Hitt tells his story with a deft touch and a sharp wit.· The blood in my veins ran high and my usually sharp wits dulled.· Lapworth was retiring, generous, especially to his students, and sincere, though he had a sharp wit.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► F sharp/D sharp/C sharp etc► be on the sharp end (of something)PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► not the sharpest tool in the box/shed► sharp-tongued/silver-tongued etc
- The ground was hardened by a sharp frost making the going firm on a fine, sunny day.
- There had been a sharp frost overnight and the ground was frozen hard.
- His grandfather had made a fortune out of a piece of commercial sharp practice in the 19th century.
- We couldn't discover anything specific, but there was definitely some sharp practice going on.
- Any kind of sharp practice or dishonest dealing will infallibly ruin his career.
- At times these adjustments verge on sharp practice enabled by the fact that ingredients do not have to be revealed.
- But trams also had to face some sharp practice from competing bus companies.
- In it he mentions several examples of sharp practice in the laboratory, one or two of which are new to me.
- Recognising sharp practice in their dealers from the outset, they would be less likely to blame them for huge losses.
- Security guards kept a sharp eye on Mattson as he walked through the store.
- As a teen-ager, I kept a sharp eye on who was winning the prizes I wanted: Honor Roll.
- I keep a sharp eye on him.
- How I try to punish my parents with my sharp tongue.
- If Toyah cuts that easily she'd better watch herself on Linda's sharp tongue.
- Nobody but nobody commented on Maggie's shapely form - not unless they wanted acid dripping on them from that sharp tongue.
- Oh, she has the sharpest tongue!
- Only that you have a sharp tongue and an undisciplined sister, neither of which attributes I find endearing.
- She was still slightly in awe of Violette, her worldliness, her sharp tongue.
- The men are white-haired and silent, the women dark-haired with sharp tongues.
- They opened their mouths to show her sharp tongues and teeth, ready to bite, gobble her up.
WORD FAMILYnounsharpenersharpnesssharpadverbsharpsharplysharpishadjectivesharpverbsharpen
1able to cut easily having a very thin edge or point that can cut things easily OPP blunt: Make sure you use a good sharp knife. Its teeth are razor sharp (=very sharp).2turn a sharp turn or bend changes direction suddenly: We came to a sharp bend in the road.sharp left/right Take a sharp left after the church.3increase/change a sharp increase, rise, fall etc happens suddenly and is great in amount SYN steep: a sharp increase in prices a sharp fall in unemployment4difference sharp differences are very big and very noticeable: sharp differences of opinion There is a sharp distinction between domestic and international politics. His honesty is in sharp contrast to (=very different from) some other politicians.5pain/feelings a sharp pain or feeling is sudden and severe OPP dull: I felt a sharp pain in my back. I was left with a sharp sense of disappointment.6disapproving speaking in a way that shows you disapprove of something or are annoyed OPP mild: a sharp rebuke John’s tone was sharp. The boss can be very sharp with people when she’s busy.somebody has a sharp tongue (=they speak in a very disapproving way which often upsets people)7intelligent able to think and understand things very quickly, and not easily deceived OPP dull, stupid: a journalist with an extremely sharp mind8keep a sharp eye on somebody to watch someone very carefully, especially because you do not trust them: Keep a sharp eye on the kids at all times!9pencil having a very thin point that can draw an exact line OPP blunt: Make sure your pencils are sharp before we begin the test.10sound a sharp sound or cry is loud, short, and sudden: a sharp cry of pain a sharp intake of breath11taste having a slightly bitter taste OPP mild: sharp cheddar cheese Add mustard to give the dressing a sharper taste.12clothes attractive and fashionable SYN smart British English: Tod looked really sharp in his tux. a sharp suit13shape not rounded or curved: sharp features Her mother had a sharp little nose.14image/picture if an image or picture is sharp, you can see all the details very clearly OPP fuzzy: The outlines of the trees were sharp and clear.15good at noticing things able to see and notice details very wella sharp eye for detail (=the ability to notice and deal with details)16music a)F sharp/D sharp/C sharp etc a musical note that is sharp has been raised by one semitone from the note F, D, C etc b)if music or singing is sharp, it is played or sung at a slightly higher pitch than it should be → flat1(9), → natural1(10)17weather sharp wind/frost a very cold wind or a severe frost: A sharp wind blew across the lake.18sharp practice British English behaviour, especially in business, that is dishonest but not illegal: He’s been guilty of sharp practice in the past.19be on the sharp end (of something) British English informal to experience the worst effects of something: We were always on the sharp end of clients’ complaints.—sharpness noun [uncountable] → sharplyTHESAURUSsharp having a very thin edge or point that can cut things easily: · a sharp knife· The dog’s teeth were very sharp.· Be careful. That knife’s very sharp.· You’ll need some sharp scissors.· Puppies mean to be playful, but their sharp teeth can give you a nasty bite.jagged having an irregular edge with a lot of sharp points: · a jagged rock· The floor was covered with jagged pieces of glass.spiky having a lot of thin sharp points: · a spiky cactus plant· The hedgehog uses its spiky fur for protection.· Some corals are quite smooth, others are sharp and spiky.prickly covered in a lot of small sharp points – used mainly about plants: · a prickly bush· prickly leaves· The hedge was all prickly.serrated a serrated edge on a saw or knife has a lot of sharp points on it: · It’s best to use a knife with a serrated edge.razor-sharp extremely sharp: · The cat had razor-sharp claws.not sharpblunt not sharp – used about tools, weapons, or pencils: · All the kitchen knives were blunt.· a blunt pencil· The woman had been attacked with a blunt instrument.