Definition
This idiom describes a situation charged with tension or anger, where an unpleasant event seems imminent.
劍拔弩張，一觸即發
You could cut the atmosphere with a knife in the meeting room. The managers were arguing over the recent losses.
會議室裡的氣氛緊張到可以用刀切開。經理們正在爭論最近的損失。
The atmosphere was so tense you could cut it with a knife as the two candidates attacked each other on the debate stage.
辯論台上兩位候選人互相攻擊，氣氛緊張到可以用刀切開。
The atmosphere was so thick you could cut it with a knife among the team before they knew the results.
在知道結果之前，團隊之間的氣氛緊張到可以用刀切開。