knives and forks
Dining tool pair
Knives and forks are eating utensils used as a pair in Western table settings—the knife for cutting, the fork for spearing and conveying food to the mouth.
The phrase often stands for cutlery generally or for formal dining customs: She set out the knives and forks for dinner.
To get one's knives and forks into something is to begin eating heartily.
- eating utensilsHandheld tools for meals
- cutlery setGrouped eating implements
- cleaverBroad-bladed cutting tool
- plateFlat dish for food
- dessert spoonMedium serving utensil
table manners · place setting · silverware · stainless steel · cup · peeler · bowl · saucer · placemat · tongs · skewer · ladle · dining etiquette · fine dining · formal dinner · dinner party · napkin · tray
eating utensil tradition
knives and forkschopsticks
Paired wooden eating implements
hands · fingers · finger food · bare hands · spork
knife, fork, knifed, knifing, knives, forks, forked, forking, penknife