sharp end
The phrase "sharp end" is often used metaphorically to describe the most critical or challenging part of a situation, but it also has a literal meaning in nautical contexts.
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Definition
B2Nautical
(informal)The front part of a ship.
Example
- The crew gathered at the sharp end to prepare for docking.
B2General
(figurative, informal)The most difficult or dangerous aspect of a situation.
Example
- As a firefighter, he often finds himself at the sharp end of dangerous situations.
- Nurses are at the sharp end of patient care, dealing with emergencies firsthand.
B2Professional
(figurative, informal, british)The part of a job or activity where the most problems are likely to be found.
Example
- He started work at the sharp end of the business, handling customer complaints.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "sharp end":
pointy endother endbusiness endtop edgetail endcutting edgeleading edgetip of the spearfore edgeoutside edgeextreme pointend pieceinside edgepointy headbitter endon the edgeedge playend offdeep endend capdeep pointdouble pointedge caseback end