edge
edge — verb
1. to move carefully and slowly in a particular direction, or to move something tha
to move carefully and slowly in a particular direction, or to move something that way, using small steps or tiny adjustments to get into a desired position.
Élise edged her chair closer to the fireplace to feel the warmth on her face.
edge + object + adverb (closer to)
The caterpillar edged slowly along the branch toward a fresh green leaf.
Samir edged his way through the crowded market, trying not to bump into anyone.
Dario edged the van carefully into the narrow parking space between two cars.
As the fog lifted, the fishing boat edged slowly toward the harbour entrance.
文法句型
edge + adverb/preposition
edge + object + adverb/preposition
edge + one's way + adverb/preposition
用法筆記
This sense nearly always appears with an adverb or prepositional phrase that shows direction — edge away, edge closer, edge past, edge towards, edge through.
常見錯誤
2. to defeat a competitor or achieve a higher position by an extremely small amount
to defeat a competitor or achieve a higher position by an extremely small amount, especially in a race, election, game, or competition.
Chidi edged his closest rival by just two points in the final round of the quiz.
edge + opponent + by + margin
The home team edged out their opponents three goals to two in a tense match.
phrasal verb: edge out
Soraya's company edged past its main competitor to take the market lead in December.
In the hundred-metre sprint, Kevin edged ahead of Tyler right at the finish line.
- narrowly beat
more common in conversation: 'narrowly beat the other team'
- nip
informal, British: 'nip someone at the post' = defeat at the last moment
- pip
informal, British: 'pip someone to the post' = defeat by a tiny margin
文法句型
edge + opponent + by + margin
edge out + opponent
edge past + opponent
edge ahead of + opponent
用法筆記
Very common in sports journalism and business news. The phrasal verb 'edge out' is the most frequent form. 'Edge past' and 'edge ahead of' also appear. The margin is always small — if the gap is large, use 'beat' or 'defeat' instead.
常見錯誤
❌ 'She edged him by just two seconds' — this is actually correct usage! Just make sure the margin is genuinely small.
3. in cricket, to strike the ball using the thin side of the bat rather than its fl
in cricket, to strike the ball using the thin side of the bat rather than its flat face, often sending it directly toward a fielder.
Mauricio edged the ball straight to the wicketkeeper and was out caught behind.
edge + ball + to + fielder position
The batsman edged a fast delivery from Salma, and the ball flew straight to the slips.
Ilan edged the ball just past the stumps for a lucky boundary through the slips.
Caleb kept edging the ball just past the stumps and was caught three times in the same match.
文法句型
edge + ball + preposition
edge + adverb
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in cricket commentary and conversation. The edge of the bat is the thin side; hitting it there usually gives the bowler an advantage. 'Edge' in this sense is usually accidental — deliberate use of the edge is called a 'splice' or 'bottom edge.'
常見錯誤
4. to tilt a ski so that the metal strip along its side bites into the snow surface
to tilt a ski so that the metal strip along its side bites into the snow surface, helping the skier control speed, stop, or change direction.
Mizuki edged her skis hard as she approached the steep, icy part of the slope.
edge + possessive + skis + adverb
To slow down on the descent, Renata edged both skis and carved a tight turn.
The instructor showed the beginners how to edge their skis for a clean parallel stop.
Tyler lost control because he forgot to edge into the slope on the sharp corner.
- carve
a more advanced skiing technique where the edge cuts a clean arc; carving implies the turn itself, not just tilting the ski
文法句型
edge + one's skis
edge + adverb
用法筆記
Primarily used in skiing instruction and commentary. 'Edge' in this sense can be used with a direct object (edge your skis) or intransitively (edge into the slope). The noun 'edge' here refers to the metal strip on the side of the ski.
5. to form a border along the side of an area or object, or to place a material aro
to form a border along the side of an area or object, or to place a material around the outer limit of something as a decoration or boundary.
A row of tall hedges edges the garden on the western and southern sides.
active: hedges edge the garden
The old wooden mirror was edged with a thin gold frame that gleamed in the light.
passive: was edged with
Dario edged the flowerbed with small white stones he had collected from the river.
The winding path that edges the lake is perfect for an early morning jog.
文法句型
edge + object + with + material
be edged with
edge + object
用法筆記
Common in descriptive writing about gardens, architecture, and decorative objects. The passive form 'is edged with' is especially frequent: 'the plate was edged with gold,' 'the path is edged with lavender.'
常見錯誤
edge — noun
1. where the outermost boundary of a thing or surface is found — the line at which
where the outermost boundary of a thing or surface is found — the line at which one thing stops and everything else starts, such as the rim of a cup, the side of a table, or the brink of a cliff.
Ryo placed his glass carefully on the edge of the table.
the edge of [something] for physical surfaces
The hikers walked along the edge of the cliff, well clear of the drop.
The edge of the paper was torn where João had cut it too quickly.
Sofie sat at the edge of the pool, dipping her feet into the cool water.
文法句型
the edge of [something]
常見錯誤
2. the thin, sharpened strip along a blade that splits material when pressed throug
the thin, sharpened strip along a blade that splits material when pressed through it — found on knives, scissors, swords, and similar tools.
Aylin carefully sharpened the edge of her kitchen knife on a stone.
the edge of [cutting tool]
The edge of this blade is so fine it can cut through rope in seconds.
Ryo ran his finger along the paper cutter's edge to test its sharpness.
Diya used the ruler's straight edge to draw a clean line on the paper.
- blade
the whole flat cutting part of a knife, not just the sharp side
- cutting edge
specifically the sharpened side of a blade
- blunt side
the unsharpened back of a blade (also called the spine)
文法句型
the edge of [cutting tool]
用法筆記
This sense is most common when describing knives, scissors, swords, and cutting tools. For non-cutting sharp edges on surfaces (e.g. broken glass, metal sheets), use this sense as well.
常見錯誤
3. the moment immediately preceding a major change or event, often something risky
the moment immediately preceding a major change or event, often something risky or alarming — for example, being on the verge of a crisis or a breakthrough.
The company was on the edge of bankruptcy when the new manager arrived.
on the edge of [negative event]
João felt he was on the edge of a breakthrough after months of work.
The two countries stood on the edge of war after the border dispute turned violent.
Zola's team was on the edge of victory with only one goal still needed.
文法句型
on the edge of [something]
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in the pattern 'on the edge of + noun phrase'. The noun phrase is often something dramatic — crisis, collapse, discovery, breakthrough.
常見錯誤
4. a point of emotional collapse where a person can no longer cope with stress, sad
a point of emotional collapse where a person can no longer cope with stress, sadness, or pressure — used in the phrase 'over the edge' meaning past the limit of self-control.
The constant criticism from his manager finally pushed Christopher over the edge.
push [someone] over the edge
The loss of her home in the fire nearly sent Noa over the edge.
send [someone] over the edge
Aylin's friends noticed the stress was pushing her close to the edge.
The long court case had brought the family to the edge of emotional collapse.
- breaking point
the moment someone can no longer handle pressure
- limit
the maximum amount of stress someone can take
文法句型
push/send/drive [someone] over the edge
用法筆記
This sense only appears in the fixed construction 'over the edge' or 'to the edge' with verbs like push, send, drive, or bring. The 'edge' here is a mental breaking point. Do not use it without those trigger verbs.
常見錯誤
5. a small but meaningful advantage over someone else, especially in a competitive
a small but meaningful advantage over someone else, especially in a competitive situation such as business, sports, or exams.
Her university degree gave her an edge over other job applicants.
an edge over [competitors]
The team's extra fitness training gave them a competitive edge in the final match.
a competitive edge
Yuki's ability to speak three languages gives her a clear edge in the travel industry.
The company has managed to maintain its edge over competitors for many years.
- advantage
broader term; can be any kind of benefit, not necessarily small
- upper hand
informal; the position of control in a competition
- disadvantage
a condition that makes success less likely
文法句型
[have/get/gain] an/the edge [over/on] [someone/something]
用法筆記
Commonly followed by 'over' or 'on' to specify the rival. 'Edge' in this sense is always a singular noun — do not pluralize it. Typical verbs: have, get, gain, give, keep, maintain, lose.
常見錯誤
6. a sharp, hard quality in a person's voice that reveals annoyance, anger, or impa
a sharp, hard quality in a person's voice that reveals annoyance, anger, or impatience.
There was an edge in Esme's voice when she talked about the unfair decision.
an edge in [someone's] voice
Matthew could hear a sharp edge in his manager's tone as the deadline approached.
Anong's voice had a cold edge that made everyone in the room uncomfortable.
The teacher's voice carried an edge of impatience when she repeated the instructions.
- warmth
a friendly, kind quality in someone's voice
文法句型
[a/the] edge in [someone's] voice/tone
用法筆記
Often modified by adjectives: cold edge, hard edge, sharp edge, sarcastic edge. The edge can be in someone's voice, tone, or words. This sense is typically singular.
常見錯誤
7. in a nervous, tense, or worried state, often because something unpleasant is abo
in a nervous, tense, or worried state, often because something unpleasant is about to happen or because you are under pressure
The whole team was on edge before the final match of the season.
phrase: on edge
Anjali's constant tapping on the desk put everyone else in the room on edge.
Tariq had been on edge all week waiting for the hospital to call.
With the deadline only hours away, even calm Felipe began to feel on edge.
The loud arguments next door made Madison feel jumpy and on edge.
- tense
broader — can describe muscles, atmosphere, or a person; 'on edge' specifically links to irritation and anticipation
- jumpy
more informal and physical, emphasizing a startled response to small noises or movements
- irritable
focuses on the tendency to become angry or annoyed easily, without the 'waiting' element
文法句型
be on edge
feel on edge
put/keep someone on edge
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in the fixed phrase 'on edge' after verbs like 'be', 'feel', 'put', 'keep', and 'set'. Unlike 'nervous', it often carries a feeling of irritable tension caused by waiting or by an uncomfortable situation.
常見錯誤
8. a quality of being exciting, slightly unconventional, or ahead of current trends
a quality of being exciting, slightly unconventional, or ahead of current trends, especially in fashion, art, or entertainment, that makes something stand out and provoke strong reactions
Mira wanted her clothing line to have an edge that would attract young buyers.
Noa felt the film lacked the bold edge of the director's earlier work.
The artist's bold style gave the exhibition a fresh and exciting edge.
Élise admired the magazine's reporting for its bold, provocative edge on social issues.
- blandness
dullness, lack of distinctive character
- conventionality
strict adherence to accepted norms or styles, the opposite of edgy innovation
文法句型
have an edge
lack edge
give [sth] an edge
[noun] has (a) [adjective] edge
用法筆記
Often modified by an adjective (bold edge, sharp edge, rebellious edge) that describes the specific kind of quality. The related adjective 'edgy' (sense 8a) is more common in everyday speech; the noun form 'edge' tends to appear in reviews and cultural commentary.
常見錯誤
9. in cricket, a shot in which the ball is struck by the thin side of the bat rathe
in cricket, a shot in which the ball is struck by the thin side of the bat rather than the flat face, often travelling in an unexpected direction
The wicketkeeper dived to his right and caught the ball from a fine edge.
A thin edge flew past the slip fielders and raced towards the boundary.
cricket term: thin edge
Eri was disappointed when his edge was caught by the wicketkeeper.
The bowler celebrated as the edge was caught in the slips.
文法句型
[adjective] edge
catch/take an edge
a fine/thin edge