tooth

tooth [ tuθ ] (plural teeth [ tiθ ] ) noun count ***

1. ) any of the hard white objects inside your mouth that you use for biting and for CHEWING food:

front/back teeth

a loose/missing/broken tooth

brush/clean your teeth: It's important to brush your teeth at least twice a day.

pull/fill a tooth: Two teeth needed filling and one had to be pulled.

cut teeth (=start to get them): The baby's cutting his top teeth.

bare/show your teeth: The dog growled and bared its teeth.

tooth decay: Too much sugar can cause tooth decay.

2. ) one of a row of narrow pointed parts that form the edge of a tool or machine:

the teeth on a saw/gear/comb

3. ) teeth plural the necessary power and authority to be effective or to make people obey you:

The new regulations give the planning committees more teeth.

get your teeth into something INFORMAL

to put a lot of your time and energy into something that is interesting because it needs a lot of effort and skill:

I'd like a project that I can really get my teeth into.

go at it/fight tooth and nail

to fight or argue with energy and determination:

Members of Congress have been fighting tooth and nail over this issue.

in the teeth of something

1. ) despite something such as problems or difficulties:

The bill was passed in the teeth of strong opposition.

2. ) against the force of a strong wind:

She struggled across the moor in the teeth of gale force winds.

set your teeth on edge

if something such as a sound sets your teeth on edge, you think it is very unpleasant or annoying:

That whining voice of hers always sets my teeth on edge.

show your teeth

to show that you have power or authority and that you intend to use it

=> CUT1, GRIT 2, KICK 2, LONG1, SINK1, SKIN1