Sharp as a tack

Definition

Very intelligent, mentally alert, or quick-thinking; having keen perception and wit.

Etymology

This American phrase from the early 1900s refers to the pointed end of a tack, which must be sharp to be effective. The metaphor connects the physical sharpness needed for a tool to function with mental acuity.

Kelly Says

The evolution from 'sharp as a needle' to 'sharp as a tack' reflects American innovation and practicality - tacks were more common in everyday American life than fine sewing needles. It shows how idioms adapt to reflect the tools and objects most familiar to their users.

Translations

AMአማርኛ
ብራራ እንደ ሽንኩራ
brr-rah ehn-deh shink-oo-rah
ARالعربية
حاد كالخنجر
ħād kāl-khanjar
BNবাংলা
তীক্ষ্ণ যেমন একটি ছুরি
tee-khno yeh-mon ek-ti choo-ree
CACatalà
esmolat com una fulla
eh-SMOH-lah-t kohm oo-NAH FOO-yah
CSČeština
ostrý jako břitva
OH-stree yahk BZHI-tvah
DADansk
skarp som en barberkniv
SKAR-p sohm ehn bah-BEHR-knee-v
DEDeutsch
scharf wie ein Messer
SHARF vee ayn MEH-ser
ELΕλληνικά
οξύ σαν ξυράφι
ox-ee san ksee-RAH-fee
ESEspañol
tan listo como un alfiler
tahn LEES-toh koh-moh uhn ahl-fee-LEH-r
FAفارسی
تیز مانند یک تیغ
teez manand yek teyg
FISuomi
terävä kuin partaveitsi
TEH-rah-vah KOO-een pahr-tah-VEH-tsee
FRFrançais
aussi vif que l'éclair
oh-SEE vee fuh leh-KLAH-r
GUGU
તીક્ષ્ણ જેવું છુરી
tee-khshn jay-voo chh-oo-ree
HAHA
mai tsini kamar yaro
MAH-ee CHEE-nee KAH-mahr YAH-roh
HEעברית
חד כתער
khad kat-ar
HIहिन्दी
तेज़ की तरह
tez kee tarah
HUMagyar
éles mint a borotva
EH-lesh meent ah BOH-roht-vah
IDBahasa Indonesia
tajam seperti pisau
TAH-jahm SEH-perti pee-SOW
IGIG
ọṅụṅụ dị ka ọnụ ụgbọ
oh-NOON-oo dee kah oh-NOO oo-gboh
ITItaliano
affilato come un rasoio
ah-fee-LAH-toh koh-meh uhn rah-ZOH-yoh
JA日本語
頭が切れる
atama ga kireru
KKKK
үшті жібек
oosh-TEE jee-BEHK
KMKM
ខ្លី ដូចជា ដាវ
klee doh-chah dah-v
KO한국어
날카롭다
nal-ka-rop-da
MRMR
तीक्ष्ण असण्यासारखे
tee-kshn ahs-NAH-yah-sar-kheh
MSBahasa Melayu
tajam seperti pisau
TAH-jahm SEH-perti pee-SOW
MYမြန်မာ
ချိန်သည်ဆေး
chein thee seh
NLNederlands
scherp als een mes
SKHERP ahlz uhn MES
NONorsk
skarp som en barberkniv
SKAR-p sohm ehn bah-BEHR-knee-v
PAPA
ਤੇਜ਼ ਜਿਹਾ ਛੁਰੀ
tez jee-hah CHH-oo-ree
PLPolski
ostry jak brzytwa
OH-stree yahk BZHI-tvah
PTPortuguês
afiado como uma lâmina
ah-fee-AH-doo koh-moh OO-mah lah-MEE-nah
RORomână
ascuțit ca un cuțit
ah-SKOOT chah uhn KOO-tseet
RUРусский
острый как бритва
OST-ree kahk BREET-vah
SVSvenska
skarp som en rakkniv
SKAR-p sohm ehn RAHK-nee-v
SWKiswahili
mkali kama kisu
m-KAH-lee KAH-mah KEE-soo
TAதமிழ்
கூர்மையான அறுவடை
koor-mai-yaana aru-vadai
TEతెలుగు
పదునైనట్లు
padu-nay-na-tlu
THไทย
คมเหมือนมีด
khom muean meed
TLTL
matalas tulad ng isang kutsilyo
mah-TAH-las TOO-lahd nang ee-SAHNG koo-tsee-LYOH
TRTürkçe
keskin gibi
KESH-kin GEE-bee
UKУкраїнська
гострий як бритва
hoh-STREE yahk BREET-vah
URاردو
تیز کی طرح
teez kee tarah
VITiếng Việt
sắc như dao
sak nhu dah-oh
YOYO
dídùn bíi ọkọ
dee-DOON bee OH-koh
ZH中文
聪明伶俐
cōng míng líng lì
ZUZU
khulu njengenkwenkwe
KOO-loo n-JEHNG-een-kwehn-kweh

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