CUT BLOCKS WITH A RAZOR

Domain	Definition
Literature	Cut Blocks with a Razor (To). To do something astounding by insignificant means; to do something more eccentric than inexpedient. According to Dean Swift, to "make pincushions of sunbeams." The tale is that Accius, or Attus Navius, a Roman augur, opposed the king Tarquin the Elder, who wished to double the number of senators. Tarquin, to throw ridicule on the angur, sneered at his pretensions of augury, and asked him if he could do what was then in his thoughts. "Undoubtedly," replied Navius; and Tarquin with a laugh, said, "Why, I was thinking whether I could cut through this whetstone with a razor." "Cut boldly," cried Navius, and the whetstone was cleft in two. This story forms the subject of one of Bon Gaultier's ballads, and Goldsmith refers to it in his Retaliation: "In short, `twas his [Burke's] fate, unemployed or in place, sir, To eat mutton cold, and cut blocks with a razor" Source: Brewer's Dictionary.
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Synonyms within Context: CUT BLOCKS WITH A RAZOR

Context	Synonyms within Context (source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus).
Misuse	Cut blocks with a razor, employ a steam engine to crack a nut; catch at a straw.
Reasoning,	Cut blocks with a razor, beat about the bush, play fast and loose, play fast and loose with the facts, blow hot and cold, prove that black is white and white black, travel out of the record, parler a tort et a travers, put oneself out of court, not have a leg to stand on.
Unskillfulness	Cut blocks with a razor; hold a farthing candle to the sun; (useless); fight with a shadow, grasp at a shadow; catch at straws, lean on a broken reed, reckon without one's host, pursue a wild goose chase; go on a fool's goose chase, sleeveless errand; go further and fare worse; lose one's way, miss one's way; fail.
Waste	Waste its sweetness on the desert air ; cast one's bread upon the waters, cast pearls before swine; employ a steam engine to crack a nut, waste powder and shot, break a butterfly on a wheel; labor in vain; (useless); cut blocks with a razor, pour water into a sieve.
Source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus.