go under the knife
/ˌɡəʊ ˌʌndə ðə ˈnaɪf/INFORMAL · B2
Meaning
to have a medical operation
Examples
- 1My uncle is going under the knife next week to fix his knee.
- 2Priya was nervous about going under the knife, but the surgery went smoothly.
- 3After years of back pain, Tom finally agreed to go under the knife.
- 4The surgeon will explain the risks to you before you go under the knife.
- 5Our cat has gone under the knife twice this year, so the vet bills are huge.
Grammar
Only go changes form: went, gone. be under the knife describes the time of the operation itself.
More idioms about health
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English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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