What does hacksaw mean?
A hacksaw is a hand saw designed with a thin, flexible blade held under tension in a rigid frame, making it especially useful for cutting metal and other hard materials. It is also a verb meaning to cut with a hacksaw, as in a worker who “hacksawed through” a steel pipe. The word is common in British and American English and can be used literally or figuratively: “hacksaw through a problem” suggests persistent, painstaking effort rather than a quick solution. A hacksaw differs from a handsaw in its frame and narrow, tensioned blade, while a power hacksaw is a larger, motor-driven version used in industrial work. Although the tool may seem old-fashioned in some settings, it remains valuable wherever precise cuts are needed or access to power equipment is limited. Its distinctive design also makes it useful for repair work, construction, and metalworking.
A saw with a thin, flexible blade held under tension in a rigid frame, used especially for cutting metal.
"The mechanic brought out a hacksaw and began working on the damaged frame."
The tool is standard in British and American English. A power hacksaw is a larger, motorized version used in industrial settings.
To cut something with a hacksaw.
"He hacksawed the metal bar into two pieces."
The expression “hacksaw through” can also be used figuratively to mean to persist painstakingly through a difficult task or obstacle.
The standard plural is “hacksaws.”
"The workshop keeps several old hacksaws in a locked cabinet."
A hacksaw’s superpower is tension: a thin blade held taut in a rigid frame can bite into metal that many ordinary saws cannot.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How hacksaw is actually used
The term is neutral and standard in both British and American English. As a verb, it usually describes a relatively slow or labor-intensive method of cutting, and the expression “hacksaw through” can figuratively mean to persist through a difficult situation or problem.
Easily confused with hacksaw
A hacksaw has a narrow, tensioned blade held in a frame, whereas a handsaw generally has a broad blade with a handle and no enclosing frame.