tooth 
/ˈtu:θ/ noun
plural teeth /ˈtu:θ/ noun /ˈti:θ/ 1 [count] : one of the hard white objects inside the mouth that are used for biting and chewing
▪ The dentist will have to pull that tooth. ▪ You should brush/clean your teeth every morning and night. ▪ She clenched her teeth in anger. ▪ He has a set of false teeth. ▪ a loose tooth ▪ tooth decay ▪ She sank her teeth into [=bit] the apple. — see picture at mouth; see also baby tooth, buck teeth, eyetooth, milk tooth, sweet tooth, wisdom tooth 2 [count] : a sharp or pointed object that sticks out of something and is part of a row of similar objects
▪ the teeth of a saw/comb 3 teeth [plural] : the power that makes something effective
▪ drug laws with teeth ▪ The labor union showed that it has teeth.
▪ The dentist will have to pull that tooth. ▪ You should brush/clean your teeth every morning and night. ▪ She clenched her teeth in anger. ▪ He has a set of false teeth. ▪ a loose tooth ▪ tooth decay ▪ She sank her teeth into [=bit] the apple. — see picture at mouth; see also baby tooth, buck teeth, eyetooth, milk tooth, sweet tooth, wisdom tooth
▪ the teeth of a saw/comb
▪ drug laws with teeth ▪ The labor union showed that it has teeth.
a kick in the teeth — see 2kick
an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth — see 1eye
by the skin of your teeth — see 1skin
cut a tooth, cut your teeth — see 1cut
fly in the teeth of — see 1fly
get/take the bit between your teeth — see 2bit
get your teeth into or chiefly US sink your teeth into
: to become fully involved in (something, such as a new activity) : to do or deal with (something) with a lot of energy, interest, etc.
▪ He finally has a project he can get his teeth into.
▪ He finally has a project he can get his teeth into.
grit your teeth — see 2grit
in the teeth of 1 or into the teeth of : directly against (a strong wind, storm, etc.)
▪ They sailed in/into the teeth of the wind. 2 : despite (something)
▪ A shopping mall was built in the teeth of fierce opposition.
▪ They sailed in/into the teeth of the wind.
▪ A shopping mall was built in the teeth of fierce opposition.
like pulling teeth
— used to say that something is very difficult and frustrating ▪ Getting him to make a decision is like pulling teeth. [=it is very hard to get him to make a decision]
long in the tooth
set your teeth on edge
◊If a sound, taste, etc., sets your teeth on edge, it makes your body feel tense or uncomfortable.
▪ That awful squeaking is enough to set my teeth on edge!
▪ That awful squeaking is enough to set my teeth on edge!
tooth and nail
: with a lot of effort and determination
▪ They fought tooth and nail.
▪ They fought tooth and nail.
to the teeth
: fully or completely
▪ The men were armed to the teeth. [=the men had a lot of weapons]
▪ The men were armed to the teeth. [=the men had a lot of weapons]
