English · Phrasal verb Attested

knife up

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Also seen as: knive up

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To trim the edges on a boot or shoe of bits of leather, etc. that may be attached to the sides.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

cắt tỉa cạnh của giày hoặc ủng

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

For instance, does he suppose that the edges of samples are set only twice, the same as on regular goods, or that they are not knifed up here and there by the foreman of the making room, or that the bottom finish is not given more attention than the stock shoes?

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To trim with a knife.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

cắt tỉa bằng dao

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To extract a morsel or dab (of something) with a knife.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Dùng dao lấy một chút thức gì

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Topics: Dated

Common questions

What does “knife up” mean?

To trim the edges on a boot or shoe of bits of leather, etc. that may be attached to the sides.

Is “knife up” formal or informal?

knife up is generally dated.

👁 Views 0 today 0 past 7 days 0 this month 0 all time