teeth

[ teeth ]

noun

1. plural of tooth.

teeth

/ tiːθ /

noun

1. the plural of tooth
2. the most violent part

   the teeth of the gale

3. the power to produce a desired effect

   that law has no teeth

4. by the skin of one's teeth
   See skin
5. get one's teeth into
   to become engrossed in
6. in the teeth of
   in direct opposition to; against

   in the teeth of violent criticism he went ahead with his plan

7. show one's teeth
   to threaten, esp in a defensive manner
8. to the teeth
   to the greatest possible degree

   armed to the teeth

Other Words From

• teethless adjective

Idioms and Phrases

see armed to the teeth ; bare one's teeth ; by the skin of one's teeth ; cut one's teeth on ; fed to the gills (teeth) ; fly in the face (teeth) of ; give one's eyeteeth ; gnash one's teeth ; grit one's teeth ; in the teeth of ; kick in the pants (teeth) ; lie through one's teeth ; like pulling teeth ; scarce as hen's teeth ; set one's teeth on edge ; sink one's teeth into ; to the teeth . Also see under tooth .

Example Sentences

The tax rises were a "hammer blow to already fragile practice finances", said the GP, adding: "It feels like a kick in the teeth when you are already really down."

From BBC

Hazel’s giant tail keeps harassing him and she clacks her teeth, shakes as if frozen in front of an oncoming car, and makes more “nuts” puns than you might expect.

From Los Angeles Times

Fluoride - a naturally occurring mineral recognised to protect teeth against decay - is added to water supplies in many countries, including the US, where around 63% of the population have fluoridated water.

From BBC

Based on the emergence of its baby incisor teeth, researchers estimate the cub was about 3 weeks old when it died.

From Science Magazine

At benches they brush and gently scrape dust from fossilized bone, with the gentle dexterity of dentists cleaning Jurassic-era teeth.

From Los Angeles Times