Basic Details
Word: Cut-throat
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Fierce and ruthless, with no concern for who gets hurt, as in cut-throat competition between rival businesses.
Synonyms: ruthless, merciless, fierce, brutal
Antonyms: gentle, friendly, fair
How to Spell Cut-throat
Syllables: cut - throat
Tricky part: It is two words joined by a hyphen, cut and throat. Throat keeps its oa and the r after th; students write throt, throte or thoat.
Watch out for: cut-throte, cut-throt, cut-thoat
Memory tip: A boat with a sore throat: both rhyme and both are spelt with oa. Then join cut to throat with a hyphen.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The two airlines are locked in cut-throat competition over ticket prices.
Example 2: Getting a seat in that coaching centre is a cut-throat business.
Example 3: Some reality shows make friendship look impossible in such a cut-throat contest.
Fun Fact
A cut-throat razor is an old-style razor with a long open blade that folds into its handle; some barbers still use one for a close shave.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word cut-throat as used in the sentence:
In the cut-throat world of street food stalls, every vendor fights for the same office crowd at lunch.
a) merciless
b) gentle
c) ruthless
d) fierce
Show answer
b) gentle. Gentle means kind and mild; the other three describe the same harsh rivalry.
Word Makeup
Only one of these compound words is spelt correctly. Choose it:
a) cut-throat
b) nightmear
c) cupbord
d) waistcote
Show answer
a) cut-throat. Each part of cut-throat is a correctly spelt word; the others should be cupboard, waistcoat and nightmare.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
cut-th_o_t
a) r, a
b) w, a
c) l, a
d) r, o
Show answer
a) r, a. The second part must spell throat, which needs r after th and oa in the middle.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In old adventure stories, a cut-throat is ____.
a) a brave young soldier
b) a ship's cook
c) a barber's young helper
d) a murderer or violent robber
Show answer
d) a murderer or violent robber
2. The word cut-throat best describes ____.
a) a price war between rival shops
b) a lullaby sung to a baby
c) a quiet picnic in the park
d) a friendly game of carrom
Show answer
a) a price war between rival shops
