November 8, 2014 – Word of the Day: hack The word "hack" has a few different meanings. One popular use of the word identifies the activities of people who break into computers or cell phones: - Someone hacked his way into the company’s network of computers.
- Hackers stole credit card numbers and other personal information. (A hacker is someone who hacks.)
- To avoid being hacked, you should change your passwords frequently.
- Brenda’s computer was hacked and now she can’t use it.
Beware of hackers!
There are other applications for this word as a verb: - Tim’s job was extremely difficult. He couldn’t hack it, so he quit. (can’t hack = can’t manage or bear)
- Mildred was hacking up blood, so she went to the hospital. (hack = cough)
- It took two hours to hack down that tree with an axe. (hack = cut)
- The barber hacked off the man’s ponytail which was donated to be made into a wig.
You can also use the word "hack" to describe a person who isn’t very good at his job. - Ali’s accountant is a hack. He should use my accountant.
- The hack who worked on my car didn’t fix the brakes properly.
A hacksaw is a type of handsaw with a removable blade: 
- Whenever I need to cut a pipe, I use a hacksaw with a special blade for cutting through metal.
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