WordGarden.iohacksaw
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈæksɔː/
US
- /ˈhækˌsɔ/
Meanings
Noun
a fine-toothed saw used especially for cutting metal or plastic
Verb
to cut something with a hacksaw
Beyond the definition
Imagine you need to cut through a thick pipe or a piece of sheet metal—a regular wood saw just won't do the trick! That's where a hacksaw comes in. It's a hand tool with a fine-toothed blade stretched across a U-shaped frame, designed specifically for cutting hard materials like metal, plastic, and sometimes even wood.
Using it takes a steady back-and-forth motion. It is not usually about force or breaking something apart. Instead, the fine teeth slowly cut through tough material in a controlled way. You might see a plumber using one to cut a pipe or a mechanic working on a metal part. If someone says they cut through something with one of these, it suggests patient, manual work on a material that is hard to cut.
A hacksaw is a specific type of hand saw designed for cutting hard materials that traditional wood saws struggle with. It's instantly recognizable by its U-shaped frame, which holds a thin, replaceable blade under high tension. This tension is crucial; it keeps the slender blade rigid and allows the fine teeth to bite into metal or plastic effectively without the blade bending or buckling.
When you use it, the tool works through short, steady strokes. Unlike a wood saw, which is made for cutting along wood fibers, this kind of saw is meant to remove small amounts of hard material at a time. The motion is not mainly about brute force, but about keeping the blade straight and letting the teeth do the work.
Hacksaws are incredibly versatile tools used in plumbing (cutting copper or PVC pipes), metalworking (shaping steel rods), automotive repair, and various DIY projects. They offer great flexibility because the blades are interchangeable. Users can choose a blade with a higher tooth count for thin materials to ensure a smooth cut, or a coarser blade for thicker materials to speed up the process.
In everyday English, people usually use the word literally when talking about cutting metal, plastic, or similar materials with this tool. You might hear about someone using one on a metal bracket, a bolt, or a pipe. While modern power tools can often work faster, the hacksaw remains a reliable, portable, and useful tool for anyone who needs precise, controlled cuts in hard materials.
Examples
- 1
Metal cutting
We needed a hacksaw to cut through the old metal pipe.
- 2
Dull blade
The blade on the hacksaw was dull, so the job took much longer than expected.
- 3
Garage repairs
He keeps a hacksaw in the garage for small repair jobs.
See also
Similar
- metal saw
Contrast
- wood saw
- power saw
Used with (collocations)
- hacksaw blade
- hacksaw frame
- cut with a hacksaw
- junior hacksaw
Explore
- saw
- cutting tool
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- hacksawnoun
Forms
- hacksawspluralnoun