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.
Was this helpful?
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
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.