Hacksaw
/ˈhækˌsɔː/
nounA2
Definition
A hacksaw is a small saw that you hold in your hand. It has a metal frame and a thin blade with small teeth. You use it to cut hard things like metal pipes or rods by moving the blade back and forth.
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⚡ See It in Action
A hand tool for cutting metal or hard materials
- •He used a hacksaw to cut the metal pipe into smaller pieces.
- •The mechanic grabbed a hacksaw to fix the broken frame.
- •You need a hacksaw when you want to cut metal rods at home.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "hacksaw" like a "saw" (A1 word), but smaller and made to cut metal, not wood
- ✓Picture a small frame with a thin, straight blade stretched tight, like a tiny window frame with a sharp string
- ✓It's the feeling of carefully cutting a metal pipe in a workshop or garage
- ✓Sounds like "hack-saw" → imagine "hacking" (cutting roughly) with a "saw" tool
- ✓Think of a handyman or worker using a hacksaw to fix a broken metal part
- ✓NOT like a "wood saw" (made for wood, bigger teeth), the hacksaw blade is thinner and has smaller teeth for metal
- ✓NOT like "jigsaw" (electric and moves in curves), hacksaw is manual and moves straight back and forth
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Metal saw: a saw made specifically for cutting metal (Use when you want to be clear about cutting metal)
- •Hand saw: a saw operated by hand (Use when the focus is on manual operation, but not specific to metal)
- •Jigsaw: an electric saw for cutting curves (Use when cutting shapes or curves, not straight cuts like a hacksaw)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "hack" + "saw" — "hack" means to cut roughly, "saw" is the tool for cutting
- •Etymology: English origin, "hack" means to cut with repeated small blows, combined with "saw" for cutting tool
- •Historical development: The term appeared when small saws were made to cut metal by hand, different from large wood saws
- •Modern usage: Still used today in workshops and homes for cutting metal pipes, rods, or plastic parts
💭 Reflect & Connect
•What are some materials you might need a hacksaw to cut, and why can't you use a normal saw for them?
•How does using a hacksaw compare to using an electric saw in terms of effort and control?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.When cutting a metal pipe, you usually use a hacksaw because it has a ___ blade for metal.
2.A hacksaw works by moving the blade ___ and ___ to cut through hard materials.
3.Unlike a wood saw, a hacksaw has ___ teeth that are smaller and closer together.
4.You should hold the hacksaw frame tightly to keep the blade ___ while cutting.
5.A hacksaw is a ___ tool, so you need to move it by your own hand power.
6.If you want to cut curves in wood, a hacksaw is not the best tool because it only cuts in ___ lines.
7.Mechanics often use a hacksaw when they need to ___ metal parts into smaller pieces.