tooth

Universal Words 1 any of the hard white objects in the mouth used for biting and chewing food: I've just had a tooth out at the dentist's. * to brush / clean your teeth * tooth decay * false teeth * She answered through clenched teeth (= opening her mouth only a little because of anger). * The cat sank its teeth into his finger. seealsoBUCK-TEETH, MILKTOOTH, WISDOMTOOTH 2 a narrow pointed part that sticks out of an object: the teeth on a saw * The teeth of the cog should fit into these grooves. seealsoFINE-TOOTHCOMB IDIOMS cut your teeth on sth to do sth that gives you your first experience of a particular type of work: She cut her teeth on local radio. cut a tooth (of a baby) to grow a new tooth get your teeth into sth (informal) to put a lot of effort and enthusiasm into sth that is difficult enough to keep you interested: Choose an essay topic that you can really get your teeth into. have teeth (BrE, informal) (of an organization, a law, etc.) to be powerful and effective in the teeth of sth 1 in spite of problems, opposition, etc: The new policy was adopted in the teeth of fierce criticism. 2 in the direction that a strong wind is coming from: They crossed the bay in the teeth of a howling gale. set sb's teeth on edge (of a sound or taste) to make sb feel physically uncomfortable: Just the sound of her voice sets my teeth on edge. moreatARMv., BAREv., BIT, EYEn., EYETEETH, FIGHTv., GNASH, GRITv., HELL, KICKv., KICKn., LIEҠv., LONGadj., REDadj., SKINn., SWEETadj.