paper cut
nounEtymology From paper + cut.
1
A wound caused by a piece of paper or any thin, sharp material which can slice through a person's skin.
2
Figuratively Any minor harm.
- The muscle hurried around to stand in front of Gregor. Jonah held up a hand. “Hey, easy there. Your boss isn't in any danger, unless he's prone to paper cuts.” Gregor rolled his eyes and stepped through the security guards.2015, Steven Savile, David Sakmyster, NDE: The Lazarus Inititiative:
- You'd think a nurse would want to get blood on her uniform to show people she did something useful with her day instead of just saving schoolboys from paper cuts.2013, Scott Blagden, Dear Life, You Suck, page 86:
4 more examples
- Investors do cope with more challenges than paper cuts as they count cash2010, J. B. Loewen, Money Magnet: How to Attract Investors to Your Business:
- You are totally gaga over your husband of thirty years, the handsome and athletic CEO of a non-profit that's dedicated to finding a cure for disease, world hunger, and paper cuts.2009, Jill Milligan, Grandma Rules: Notes on Grandmotherhood, the World's Best Job:
- While this too may appear painfully obvious, it is amazing how easy it is to sometimes overlook the little things. (As someone used to say, “It's the paper cuts that kill you!”)2009, Rick Balsiger, Branding You Marketing You: A Guide to Maximizing Job Search Success:
- They range from gaping wounds— Mexico's Copper Canyon, for example—to mere paper cuts like Willis Creek Canyon2008, Kathy Copeland, Craig Copeland, Hiking from Here to WOW: Utah Canyon Country: Utah Canyon Country:
3
A text-based description of the cuts to be made in raw footage to make finished video.
Film and video editing
4
A decorative ornament made by artful cutting of paper, as into silhouettes.
5
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences, Software a paper cut bug: a bug which causes harm and would be easy to fix.
- Derived terms
- death by a thousand paper cuts