at knifepoint
Under blade's threat
At knifepoint describes a situation where someone is threatened or coerced with a knife held against them: He was robbed at knifepoint.
The phrase emphasizes the immediate physical danger and the victim's lack of choice.
Compare at gunpoint, which follows the same pattern.
- robberyTheft through intimidation
- armed robberyTheft with weapon threat
- duressCoercion through threats
- extortionObtaining through threats
- bladeFlat cutting edge
sharp blade · helplessness · fear · hostage situation · coercion · vulnerability · dagger · hostage-taking · intimidation · switchblade · assault · mugging · street crime · menace · blackmail · home invasion · forced entry · trauma
at knifepointvoluntarily
Without external compulsion
willingly · of one's own free will · by choice · consensually · freely
at knifepointpolitely
With good manners
cordially · civilly · courteously · diplomatically · gently
knife, knives, knifed, knifing, point, points, pointed, pointing, pointer