cutthroat
UK: ˈkʌtθrəʊt | US: ˈkʌtθroʊt
adj. ruthless or fiercely competitive
n. a person who is ruthless or violent, especially a murderer
n. (historical) a razor with a long, sharp blade
cutthroat = cut<to sever> + throat<neck passage>
- cut: From Old English cyttan, meaning "to divide or sever with a sharp instrument."
- throat: From Old English þrote, referring to the passage in the neck.
Etymology Origin:
The term cutthroat originated in the 16th century as a literal descriptor for a murderer who slits throats. Over time, it evolved metaphorically to describe ruthless behavior, particularly in competitive contexts (e.g., cutthroat business). The vivid imagery of throat-cutting underscores its association with brutality and zero-sum conflict.
The cutthroat competition in the tech industry leaves little room for small startups.
Pirates were often depicted as cutthroat villains in historical tales.
He survived a cutthroat attack during the robbery.
The company’s cutthroat policies led to high employee turnover.
In the 18th century, cutthroat razors were common grooming tools.