Swiss army knife

American  

noun

1. a small knife with blades and other tools, such as a nail file and corkscrew, all folding into the handle.

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Etymology

Origin of Swiss army knife

< Swiss Army, a trademark

Example Sentences

"Methanol is a universal precursor for the production of a wide range of chemicals and materials, such as plastics -- the Swiss army knife of chemistry, so to speak," says Javier Pérez-Ramírez, Professor of Catalysis Engineering at ETH Zurich.

From Science Daily

“They are like a Swiss Army knife for the regime—for coercion, defense and punishment all at once.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“He’s a friend, he’s a confidant, and he’s like a Swiss Army knife. He’s helpful with the economy. So I’m gonna miss him.”

From Barron's

The Restore 3 is a sleeper’s Swiss Army knife, with a variety of white noise and other ambient sounds, along with gentle lighting to ease you into—and out of—your bed.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Vlad and crew are turning Robinhood into the Swiss Army knife of finance with trading, banking, crypto, even prediction markets.”

From MarketWatch