26984 words

edges

26 definitions • 39 examples
1
the outer or furthest point of something:

Examples:

edge of He put pink icing around the edge of the cake.
They built the church on the edge of the village.
A man was standing at the water's edge with a small boy.
I caught (= hit) my leg on the edge of the table as I walked past.
2
the side of a blade that cuts, or any sharp part of an object that could cut:

Examples:

Careful with that open can - it's got a very sharp edge.
3
the point just before something very different and noticeable happens:

Examples:

on the edge of The company is on the edge of collapse.
bring something to the edge The government had brought the country to the edge of a catastrophe.
4
If an unpleasant event pushes someone over the edge, it makes them start to behave in a crazy way:

Examples:

She had been driven over the edge by the separation from her husband.
5
an advantage over other people:

Examples:

have the edge over In terms of experience, she definitely had the edge over the other people that we interviewed.
6
a small but noticeable amount of anger in someone's voice:

Examples:

edge to/in There's a definite edge to/in her voice when she talks to her husband.
7
nervous and not relaxed:

Examples:

Is something wrong? You seem a bit on edge this morning.
8
in cricket, a hit of the ball with the edge of the bat:

Examples:

inside edge There were a couple of early inside edges.
outside edge He got an outside edge and was caught at second slip.
9
to move slowly with gradual movements or in gradual stages, or to make someone or something move in this way:

Examples:

edge its way A long line of traffic edged its way forward.
edge up Inflation has edged up to five percent over the last two years.
10
to win by a very small amount; to beat or move ahead of another person or team by a very small amount:

Examples:

edge into Opinion polls showed him edging into a slight lead.
edge it Both players gave a good performance but I think Nick just edged it.
11
in cricket, to hit the ball with the edge of the bat:

Examples:

She edged the ball between the two slip fielders.
He edged a catch behind off the final ball of the day.
12
to turn a ski sideways so that one edge goes into the snow:

Examples:

Shaped skis have made it easier to turn and edge the skis with less effort.
He's not getting low enough to use his centre of gravity to edge the ski.
13
the outer or farthest point of something:

Examples:

the edge of a cliff/table
They walked down to the water’s edge.
fig. Hitchcock’s films often kept moviegoers at the edge of their seats (= kept them eagerly interested).
14
a point beyond which something unpleasant or very noticeable is likely to happen:

Examples:

It was reported that the company is on the edge of collapse.
The loss of his job almost pushed him over the edge.
15
the side of a blade that cuts, or any sharp part of an object:

Examples:

Careful with that open can – it’s got a very sharp edge.
16
an advantage:

Examples:

Because of her experience she has the edge over the other applicants.
17
If you are on edge, you are nervous and not relaxed:

Examples:

Carly seemed on edge while her family was away.
18
to move slowly with gradual movements or in gradual stages:

Examples:

[ T ] A long line of traffic edged its way forward.
[ I ] Inflation has begun to edge up during the last six months.
19
a technical system that allows people to access large amounts of data on the internet at high speeds without using wires
20
to get or have an advantage in a particular situation:

Examples:

Internet banks may have the edge over their old-technology rivals when it comes to charges and rates, but they are not immune from complaints.
21
to give someone an advantage in a particular situation:

Examples:

A consortium of private-equity investors gave the group the edge in the competition to acquire MGM.
22
to no longer have an advantage that you used to have:

Examples:

Over the years, Germany to some extent lost its edge as a manufacturing base because of cheaper wages in Eastern Europe.
23
to nearly be in a particular situation, or to be close to achieving something:

Examples:

Scientists hope we are on the edge of a new and greener economy.
24
to put someone or something into a difficult or dangerous situation:

Examples:

As the number of house repossessions and bankruptcies increases, those already struggling with debt could be pushed over the edge.
25
to get less or lower by a small amount, or to make something do this:

Examples:

Sales edged down from $1.775 billion to $1.772 billion in the fourth quarter.
26
to increase by a small amount, or to make something do this:

Examples:

There is still some nervousness that US authorities might try to edge up interest rates to support the dollar after its recent falls.

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