cut the irony with a knife

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cut the irony with a knife" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the extent to which something is ironic. Example: She said she would never date a musician, but here she is—you could almost cut the irony with a knife.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You could cut the irony with a knife.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

You can cut the tension with a knife.

The Guardian

You can cut the bleakness with a knife.

The New York Times - Arts

You could have cut the atmosphere with a knife.

The Guardian - Film

(51) a. John cut the meat with a knife.

Lingua Sinica

You could cut the tension with a knife.

The New Yorker

Cut the discs with a knife.

WikiHow

Cut the circles out with a knife.

WikiHow

Cut the tee flush with a craft knife.

The Guardian

Cut the jacket off with a utility knife.

WikiHow

They said they would cut my throat with a knife.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "cut the irony with a knife" sparingly for maximum impact. Overuse can diminish its effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "cut the irony with a knife" in situations that are merely coincidental or unfortunate, reserve it for scenarios where the contradiction or reversal is genuinely ironic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cut the irony with a knife" functions as an idiomatic expression used to emphasize the extreme or overwhelming presence of irony in a particular situation. As noted by Ludwig, it suggests the irony is so thick it is almost tangible.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The expression "cut the irony with a knife" is a vivid way to describe a situation saturated with irony, making it almost palpable. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, its usage is relatively rare. The phrase often appears in news and media, lending a touch of color to descriptions of situations rife with incongruity. Remember to use it judiciously to maintain its impact, and be mindful of using it only when the irony is truly pronounced. Consider alternatives like "the irony was palpable" for more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The irony was palpable

Emphasizes the clear and obvious presence of irony, though less figurative.

You could feel the irony in the air

Shifts from a visual metaphor to a sensory one, focusing on the atmosphere.

The situation dripped with irony

Replaces cutting with dripping, highlighting the saturation of the situation.

The irony was thick enough to spread

Uses a spreading metaphor rather than a cutting one.

The air was heavy with irony

Focuses on the burdensome nature of the irony.

It was a monument to irony

Elevates the irony to a grand scale, suggesting something memorable.

The irony could knock you over

Highlights the overwhelming strength or impact of the irony.

The irony was painfully obvious

Underlines the clarity and unpleasantness of the irony.

The irony practically screamed

Emphasizes the overt and unavoidable presence of irony.

One could taste the irony

Invokes the sense of taste to illustrate the pervasive nature of the irony.

FAQs

How can I use "cut the irony with a knife" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to describe a situation so full of irony that it feels palpable or intense. For example, "He preached about honesty, but was caught cheating; you could "cut the irony with a knife"."

What does "cut the irony with a knife" mean?

It means the irony in a situation is so thick, heavy, or obvious that it's almost tangible. It's a figurative way to express a strong sense of incongruity or contradiction.

What are some alternatives to saying "cut the irony with a knife"?

You could say "the irony was palpable", "the situation dripped with irony", or "the air was heavy with irony" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "cut the irony with a knife" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "cut the irony with a knife" is somewhat informal and figurative. It's generally more suitable for creative writing, conversational contexts, or less formal articles. In formal academic or business writing, consider more direct and less colorful alternatives such as stating the contradiction explicitly.