edge

[[t]e̱ʤ[/t]]

♦♦

edges, edging, edged

1) N-COUNT: usu with supp The edge of something is the place or line where it stops, or the part of it that is furthest from the middle.

We were on a hill, right on the edge of town...

She was standing at the water's edge...

Daniel stepped in front of her desk and sat down on its edge.

2) N-COUNT: usu with supp The edge of something sharp such as a knife or an axe is its sharp or narrow side.

...the sharp edge of the sword.

3) VERB If someone or something edges somewhere, they move very slowly in that direction.

[V prep/adv] He edged closer to the telephone, ready to grab it...

[V prep/adv] He is edging ahead in the opinion polls.

4) N-SING: usu the N of n The edge of something, especially something bad, is the point at which it may start to happen.

They have driven the rhino to the edge of extinction...

She was on the edge of tears.

Syn:

verge, brink

5) N-SING: oft N over n, N in n/-ing If someone or something has an edge, they have an advantage that makes them stronger or more likely to be successful than another thing or person.

The three days France have to prepare could give them the edge over England...

Through superior production techniques they were able to gain the competitive edge.

Syn:

upper hand

6) N-SING: a N If you say that someone or something has an edge, you mean that they have a powerful quality.

Featuring new bands gives the show an edge...

Greene's stories had an edge of realism.

7) N-SING: oft N of n, N to n If someone's voice has an edge to it, it has a sharp, bitter, or emotional quality.

But underneath the humour is an edge of bitterness...

There was a nervous edge to his voice.

8) → See also , knife-edge, leading edge

9) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If you or your nerves are on edge, you are tense, nervous, and unable to relax.

My nerves were constantly on edge.

10) PHRASE: N inflects, usu v-link PHR, v PHR If you say that someone is on the edge of their seat or chair, you mean that they are very interested in what is happening or what is going to happen.

Most of the time the audience is on the edge of its seat.

11) PHRASE If you say that a person or a piece of entertainment has rough edges, you mean that they have some small faults, although generally you approve of them.

The show, despite some rough edges, was an instant success.

12) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If something takes the edge off a situation, usually an unpleasant one, it weakens its effect or intensity.

A spell of poor health took the edge off her performance.

13) to set your teeth on edge → see tooth

Phrasal Verbs:

- edge out