the knives are out (for somebody)informalUNFRIENDLY used to say that people are being extremely unfriendly in criticizing someone (对某人)剑拔弩张，兴师问罪 The knives are out for the vice president. 要对副总统兴师问罪了。
the knives are out (for somebody)• The service is in ferment at the moment, the knives are out.
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