1 C1 slang
To stab or attack someone with a knife.
"The report said the victim had been knifed up during the altercation outside the club."
separable
knife up
C1 slang separable transitive/intransitive
To attack or stab someone with a knife; or to prepare knives for use.
In plain English
To attack someone with a knife, or to get knives ready.
What does "knife up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic slang
To prepare or arm oneself with knives, especially before a confrontation.
"The gang was reportedly knifed up before the confrontation."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To take up a knife or to use it on someone.
Actually means
To attack someone with a knife, or to get knives ready.
Usage tip
Very informal and rarely used. 'Knife up' in the sense of attacking is found in crime reporting slang and street vernacular. In a culinary context, 'knife up' can mean to pick up or prepare one's knives. Context is essential.
Words that pair with "knife up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
victim attacker gang street chef station
How to conjugate "knife up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
knife up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
knifes up
he/she/it
Past simple
knifed up
yesterday
Past participle
knifed up
have + pp
-ing form
knifing up
continuous
Hear "knife up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "knife up"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
attack with a knife knife slash stab
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