1cut 
/ˈkʌt/ verb
cuts; cut; cut·ting /ˈkʌt/ verb 1 a : to use a sharp tool (such as a knife) to open or divide (something, such as paper or wood) [+ obj] ▪ Cut the paper along/on the dotted line (with a pair of scissors). ▪ cutting a piece of string ▪ He uses the ax to cut wood. ▪ The meat is so tender you can cut it with a fork. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ The excitement/tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife. [=there was a lot of excitement/tension in the room] [no obj] ▪ Cut along/on the dotted line. ▪ The saw easily cuts through metal. ▪ She cut into the melon with a knife.
b [+ obj] : to make a hole or wound in (a person's skin)
▪ I cut myself while shaving. ▪ I cut my finger on a sharp piece of metal. = A sharp piece of metal cut me (on the finger). ▪ I had a cut finger. ▪ We were fighting, and he tried to cut me with his knife. ▪ Pieces of broken glass cut her face and arms. ▪ He fell and cut his head open on a sharp rock.
c [+ obj] : to make (a hole) in something by using a sharp tool
▪ They cut a hole in the wall for the new window. ▪ Doctors begin by cutting a small incision in the chest. ▪ Cut several slits in the top of the crust to allow air to escape.
d [+ obj] : to divide or separate parts of (something) by using a sharp tool
▪ It's time to cut [=slice] the cake! ▪ I'll cut the apple in half so you both can have some. ▪ Would you cut me a slice of bread? = Would you cut a slice of bread for me? — often + into ▪ Add one large onion that has been cut into one-inch pieces. ▪ The chicken is cut into long strips and served on top of the salad. — often + from ▪ Her walls were covered with pictures cut from magazines. ▪ a piece of meat that is cut from the hind end of the animal — often + off ▪ She was cutting off pieces of watermelon and giving them to the children. 2 [no obj] a : to be able to cut something
▪ This knife doesn't cut well.
b : to be able to be cut
▪ Aluminum foil cuts easily with scissors. 3 [+ obj] : to make (hair, grass, etc.) shorter by using a sharp tool (such as scissors)
▪ I cut my hair short for the summer. ▪ Where'd you get your hair cut? ▪ I need to cut [=trim] my nails; they're way too long. ▪ She keeps her nails cut short. ▪ The grass in our yard needs to be cut. [=mowed] ▪ the smell of fresh-cut grass ▪ The wood is already cut to size/length. [=it has already been cut so that it is the proper size/length] 4 [+ obj] a : to give (hair or clothing) a certain style by cutting it — usually used as (be) cut ▪ Her hair is light brown and cut in a short bob. ▪ She was wearing a dress that was cut low at the neck. [=she was wearing a low-cut dress]
b : to give (something) a new shape by using a sharp tool
▪ a beautifully cut diamond 5 [+ obj] : to make or form (something) by cutting or removing material
▪ We all cut [=carved] our names on/into the tree. ▪ The stream cuts a path through the woods. ▪ builders cutting new roads in the forest — often + out ▪ At the center of the table was a statue cut out of ice. 6 [+ obj] : to make the amount of (something) smaller : reduce
▪ Our benefits were recently cut at work. ▪ The drug has been shown to cut the risk of heart attack by half. ▪ In just three years, the mayor has cut the city's crime in half. ▪ The President has promised to cut government spending. ▪ Cutting taxes can have positive and negative effects on the economy. ▪ measures that are designed to cut costs = cost-cutting measures ▪ The company's expenses had been cut to the bone. [=reduced to their lowest possible amount] — often + off ▪ This route can cut as much as five minutes off your driving time. ▪ The experience cut 20 years off (of) his life. [=shortened his life by 20 years] ▪ We've cut 20 percent off the regular retail price. 7 [+ obj] a : to make (a book, film, etc.) shorter by removing parts
▪ His article was cut [=shortened] by about 500 words. ▪ The movie had to be cut because it was too long.
b : to remove (something) from a book, film, etc.
▪ The movie's director decided to cut [=cut out, omit] my part. — often + from ▪ The director cut the scene from the final version of the film. ▪ They decided to cut her report from the newscast. ▪ About 500 words were cut from his article. 8 [+ obj] : to remove (something) from a computer document in a way that allows you to move it to another part of the document or to another document
▪ After you select the text with your mouse, you can cut it and then paste it at the beginning of the paragraph. ▪ You can cut and paste the picture into your file. — see also cut-and-paste 9 [+ obj] : to remove (a plant or part of a plant) by cutting it
▪ It's illegal to cut [=cut down] trees in this forest. ▪ We'll start cutting and harvesting the wheat next week. ◊A cut flower is a flower that has been cut off the plant that it grew on.
▪ He brought her a bouquet of cut flowers. 10 [+ obj] : to cause (something) to no longer be connected
▪ The enemy has cut [=severed] our supply lines. ▪ He wanted to cut all ties with his past and start a new life. 11 [+ obj] : to allow (someone or something) to be free, loose, etc., by cutting something that stops movement
▪ They were trapped inside the crushed car and had to be cut free. = They had to be cut from the car. ▪ The boat was cut loose from the pier and allowed to drift away. — see also cut loose at 2loose 12 [+ obj] : to remove (someone) from a team, organization, etc.
▪ I was on the team for two weeks before I got cut. — often + from ▪ The coach cut two players from the team. ▪ The band was cut from the show at the last minute. 13 : to divide (a pack of cards) into two piles [+ obj] ▪ You cut the deck and I'll deal. [no obj] ▪ You cut and I'll deal. 14 [+ obj] : to divide (an area of land) into two parts
▪ The river cuts the city in half. ▪ The mountain ridges are cut by deep valleys. 15 [no obj] : to move or go across or through something
▪ Let's take a shortcut and cut across this field. ▪ We cut through the park on our way home. ▪ The boundary line between the two countries cuts directly through the group's traditional homeland. — often used figuratively to describe something that is not limited in the usual way ▪ National security is an issue that cuts across party lines. [=an issue that is important to both political parties] ▪ Child abuse cuts across all economic and racial lines/boundaries. [=it occurs in all economic and racial groups] ▪ Her academic interests cut across [=involve or relate to] many disciplines. 16 [no obj] a : to move quickly
▪ a fast ship cutting through the waves
b : to move suddenly in a different direction
▪ The driver cut across three lanes of traffic to get to his exit and nearly caused an accident. ▪ (American football) The runner cut to his left to avoid being tackled. 17 [no obj] : to move in front of other people in a line
▪ That guy cut to the head of the line. ▪ She cut in front of us. = She cut ahead of us. — often + in ▪ Our friends let us cut in in front of them. ▪ Celebrities are allowed to cut in line at popular restaurants. ▪ Hey, no cutting (in line)! 18 [+ obj] chiefly US : to not go to (school or a class) when you should go to it
▪ We used to cut [=skip] school together and hang out at the beach. ▪ She would take notes for me when I cut class. 19 [+ obj] informal : to record (a song, album, etc.)
▪ She's in the studio cutting a new track/song for her next album. ▪ Elvis Presley cut his first record in 1954. 20 [no obj] : to suddenly move from one image or scene to another in a movie, television program, etc.
▪ The movie cuts quickly from one scene to the next. ▪ The camera cut back to the actor's face. ▪ To explain the present situation, the film cuts back to the hero's childhood. — often + away ▪ They quickly cut away to the announcer when he appeared on stage. 21 [no obj] : to stop filming a scene in a movie or television show — usually used as a command ▪ “Cut!” yelled the director. 22 [+ obj] : to stop saying or doing (foolish or annoying things) — usually used in phrases like cut the nonsense and (less politely) cut the crap ▪ Let's cut the nonsense and get down to business. ▪ Cut the crap, Jen! I know you're lying. 23 [+ obj] : to stop (a motor) by moving a switch
▪ We cut the engine and drifted into shore. ▪ I parked and cut the ignition. — often + off ▪ The pilot cut off the engine after the plane had come to a stop. 24 [no obj] : to go to or deal with something in a very direct way — usually + to ▪ Her question cut to the heart of the issue. ▪ This research cuts to the very core of who we are as human beings. ▪ Let me cut to the real reason why I'm here. 25 : to cause painful feelings or emotions [no obj] ▪ His words cut deeply. ▪ The disappointment cut like a knife. [+ obj] ▪ His harsh words cut me very deeply. ▪ She was cut to the quick [=she was very badly hurt] by their insults. 26 [+ obj] a US : to make (alcohol) less strong by adding water or another liquid
▪ They cut [=diluted] the wine with water.
b : to make (a drug, such as heroin) less strong by mixing it with another substance
▪ The substance is used to cut cocaine. 27 [+ obj] : to cause (dirt, grease, etc.) to break apart and be removed
▪ soap that cuts grease and grime
b [+ obj] : to make a hole or wound in (a person's skin)
▪ I cut myself while shaving. ▪ I cut my finger on a sharp piece of metal. = A sharp piece of metal cut me (on the finger). ▪ I had a cut finger. ▪ We were fighting, and he tried to cut me with his knife. ▪ Pieces of broken glass cut her face and arms. ▪ He fell and cut his head open on a sharp rock.
c [+ obj] : to make (a hole) in something by using a sharp tool
▪ They cut a hole in the wall for the new window. ▪ Doctors begin by cutting a small incision in the chest. ▪ Cut several slits in the top of the crust to allow air to escape.
d [+ obj] : to divide or separate parts of (something) by using a sharp tool
▪ It's time to cut [=slice] the cake! ▪ I'll cut the apple in half so you both can have some. ▪ Would you cut me a slice of bread? = Would you cut a slice of bread for me? — often + into ▪ Add one large onion that has been cut into one-inch pieces. ▪ The chicken is cut into long strips and served on top of the salad. — often + from ▪ Her walls were covered with pictures cut from magazines. ▪ a piece of meat that is cut from the hind end of the animal — often + off ▪ She was cutting off pieces of watermelon and giving them to the children.
▪ This knife doesn't cut well.
b : to be able to be cut
▪ Aluminum foil cuts easily with scissors.
▪ I cut my hair short for the summer. ▪ Where'd you get your hair cut? ▪ I need to cut [=trim] my nails; they're way too long. ▪ She keeps her nails cut short. ▪ The grass in our yard needs to be cut. [=mowed] ▪ the smell of fresh-cut grass ▪ The wood is already cut to size/length. [=it has already been cut so that it is the proper size/length]
b : to give (something) a new shape by using a sharp tool
▪ a beautifully cut diamond
▪ We all cut [=carved] our names on/into the tree. ▪ The stream cuts a path through the woods. ▪ builders cutting new roads in the forest — often + out ▪ At the center of the table was a statue cut out of ice.
▪ Our benefits were recently cut at work. ▪ The drug has been shown to cut the risk of heart attack by half. ▪ In just three years, the mayor has cut the city's crime in half. ▪ The President has promised to cut government spending. ▪ Cutting taxes can have positive and negative effects on the economy. ▪ measures that are designed to cut costs = cost-cutting measures ▪ The company's expenses had been cut to the bone. [=reduced to their lowest possible amount] — often + off ▪ This route can cut as much as five minutes off your driving time. ▪ The experience cut 20 years off (of) his life. [=shortened his life by 20 years] ▪ We've cut 20 percent off the regular retail price.
▪ His article was cut [=shortened] by about 500 words. ▪ The movie had to be cut because it was too long.
b : to remove (something) from a book, film, etc.
▪ The movie's director decided to cut [=cut out, omit] my part. — often + from ▪ The director cut the scene from the final version of the film. ▪ They decided to cut her report from the newscast. ▪ About 500 words were cut from his article.
▪ After you select the text with your mouse, you can cut it and then paste it at the beginning of the paragraph. ▪ You can cut and paste the picture into your file. — see also cut-and-paste
▪ It's illegal to cut [=cut down] trees in this forest. ▪ We'll start cutting and harvesting the wheat next week. ◊A cut flower is a flower that has been cut off the plant that it grew on.
▪ He brought her a bouquet of cut flowers.
▪ The enemy has cut [=severed] our supply lines. ▪ He wanted to cut all ties with his past and start a new life.
▪ They were trapped inside the crushed car and had to be cut free. = They had to be cut from the car. ▪ The boat was cut loose from the pier and allowed to drift away. — see also cut loose at 2loose
▪ I was on the team for two weeks before I got cut. — often + from ▪ The coach cut two players from the team. ▪ The band was cut from the show at the last minute.
▪ The river cuts the city in half. ▪ The mountain ridges are cut by deep valleys.
▪ Let's take a shortcut and cut across this field. ▪ We cut through the park on our way home. ▪ The boundary line between the two countries cuts directly through the group's traditional homeland. — often used figuratively to describe something that is not limited in the usual way ▪ National security is an issue that cuts across party lines. [=an issue that is important to both political parties] ▪ Child abuse cuts across all economic and racial lines/boundaries. [=it occurs in all economic and racial groups] ▪ Her academic interests cut across [=involve or relate to] many disciplines.
▪ a fast ship cutting through the waves
b : to move suddenly in a different direction
▪ The driver cut across three lanes of traffic to get to his exit and nearly caused an accident. ▪ (American football) The runner cut to his left to avoid being tackled.
▪ That guy cut to the head of the line. ▪ She cut in front of us. = She cut ahead of us. — often + in ▪ Our friends let us cut in in front of them. ▪ Celebrities are allowed to cut in line at popular restaurants. ▪ Hey, no cutting (in line)!
▪ We used to cut [=skip] school together and hang out at the beach. ▪ She would take notes for me when I cut class.
▪ She's in the studio cutting a new track/song for her next album. ▪ Elvis Presley cut his first record in 1954.
▪ The movie cuts quickly from one scene to the next. ▪ The camera cut back to the actor's face. ▪ To explain the present situation, the film cuts back to the hero's childhood. — often + away ▪ They quickly cut away to the announcer when he appeared on stage.
▪ We cut the engine and drifted into shore. ▪ I parked and cut the ignition. — often + off ▪ The pilot cut off the engine after the plane had come to a stop.
▪ They cut [=diluted] the wine with water.
b : to make (a drug, such as heroin) less strong by mixing it with another substance
▪ The substance is used to cut cocaine.
▪ soap that cuts grease and grime
cut a check
US : to write a check and give it to someone
▪ The company cut him a check and he cashed it.
▪ The company cut him a check and he cashed it.
cut a dash — see 2dash
cut a deal
: to make an agreement usually about business : to make a deal
▪ The band cut a deal with a recording company.
▪ The band cut a deal with a recording company.
cut a figure
◊If you cut a fine/dashing/heroic (etc.) figure, you look very good and impressive.
▪ He cut a fine figure in his officer's uniform.
▪ He cut a fine figure in his officer's uniform.
cut and run
: to leave quickly in order to avoid danger or trouble
▪ You can't just cut and run when your friends are in trouble.
▪ You can't just cut and run when your friends are in trouble.
cut a rug
old-fashioned slang : to dance in an energetic way
▪ He's not young anymore, but he can still cut a rug on the dance floor.
▪ He's not young anymore, but he can still cut a rug on the dance floor.
cut a tooth
of a baby : to have a tooth begin to come through the gums
▪ Their baby daughter cut her first tooth yesterday.
▪ Their baby daughter cut her first tooth yesterday.
cut away [phrasal verb]
cut away (something) or cut (something) away : to remove (something that is not needed) by cutting
▪ They cut away [=cut off] a few of the tree's lower branches. — see also 1cut 20 (above), cutaway
▪ They cut away [=cut off] a few of the tree's lower branches. — see also 1cut 20 (above), cutaway
cut back [phrasal verb] 1 : to use less or do less of something
▪ We've been spending too much money and we need to cut back [=we need to spend less money] — often + on ▪ I've been trying to cut back on smoking. ▪ He's cut back on the time he spends in front of the TV. 2 cut (something) back or cut back (something) a : to make (a plant) smaller or shorter by cutting its branches
▪ Cut back [=prune] the shrub in the late fall.
b : to reduce the size or amount of (something)
▪ We ran out of time and had to cut back our plans. ▪ They've cut back my hours at work. — see also cutback
▪ We've been spending too much money and we need to cut back [=we need to spend less money] — often + on ▪ I've been trying to cut back on smoking. ▪ He's cut back on the time he spends in front of the TV.
▪ Cut back [=prune] the shrub in the late fall.
b : to reduce the size or amount of (something)
▪ We ran out of time and had to cut back our plans. ▪ They've cut back my hours at work. — see also cutback
cut both ways
: to have both good and bad results, effects, etc.
▪ He knows that his extreme competitiveness cuts both ways. ▪ These changes in the economy cut both ways.
▪ He knows that his extreme competitiveness cuts both ways. ▪ These changes in the economy cut both ways.
cut corners — see 1corner
cut down [phrasal verb] 1 : to use less or do less of something
▪ I haven't been able to quit smoking completely, but at least I've cut down. [=cut back] — often + on ▪ I've had to cut down on [=reduce, cut back on] the amount of money I spend on clothes. ▪ She suggested he cut down on his drinking. ▪ a building material that helps cut down on noise 2 cut (something) down or cut down (something) a : to remove (a tree or bush) by cutting through its trunk or base
▪ Most of the tree was dead, so we had to cut it down. ▪ Much of the forest has been cut down for firewood.
b : to reduce the size or amount of (something)
▪ We used a shortcut that cut down our traveling time by 15 minutes. ▪ The machine significantly cuts down the amount of work necessary to harvest crops. 3 cut (someone) down or cut down (someone) : to kill or wound (someone)
▪ She was cut down by a stray bullet. ▪ The composer Schubert was cut down in his prime by illness. [=he died because of illness when he was in his prime]
▪ I haven't been able to quit smoking completely, but at least I've cut down. [=cut back] — often + on ▪ I've had to cut down on [=reduce, cut back on] the amount of money I spend on clothes. ▪ She suggested he cut down on his drinking. ▪ a building material that helps cut down on noise
▪ Most of the tree was dead, so we had to cut it down. ▪ Much of the forest has been cut down for firewood.
b : to reduce the size or amount of (something)
▪ We used a shortcut that cut down our traveling time by 15 minutes. ▪ The machine significantly cuts down the amount of work necessary to harvest crops.
▪ She was cut down by a stray bullet. ▪ The composer Schubert was cut down in his prime by illness. [=he died because of illness when he was in his prime]
cut from the same cloth — see cloth
cut ice — see 1ice
cut in [phrasal verb] 1 : to join a conversation suddenly : interrupt
▪ We were trying to have a conversation, but she kept cutting in. ▪ “What are you guys talking about?” he cut in. — often + on ▪ He's always cutting in on our conversations. 2 : to stop two people who are dancing and take the place of one of them
▪ He went up to the dancing couple and said, “May I cut in?” 3 of a machine : to begin to work
▪ Once the heater cuts in [=kicks in], it'll be a lot more comfortable in here. 4 cut (someone) in : to include (someone) in a group of people who are receiving money or other benefits
▪ They'll help you start your business provided that you cut them in when you start making a profit. — often + on ▪ They want you to cut them in on [=to give them some of] the profits. 5 cut (something) in or cut in (something) : to add (something, such as butter) to dry ingredients (such as flour) by making cutting motions with a knife or other sharp tool
▪ After sifting the flour into a mixing bowl, use two knives to cut in the butter. — see also 1cut 17 (above)
▪ We were trying to have a conversation, but she kept cutting in. ▪ “What are you guys talking about?” he cut in. — often + on ▪ He's always cutting in on our conversations.
▪ He went up to the dancing couple and said, “May I cut in?”
▪ Once the heater cuts in [=kicks in], it'll be a lot more comfortable in here.
▪ They'll help you start your business provided that you cut them in when you start making a profit. — often + on ▪ They want you to cut them in on [=to give them some of] the profits.
▪ After sifting the flour into a mixing bowl, use two knives to cut in the butter. — see also 1cut 17 (above)
cut into [phrasal verb]
cut into (something) : to reduce the amount of (something)
▪ Although it would cut into profits, we were forced to lower our prices. ▪ The extra time I was spending at work was cutting into my time with my family.
▪ Although it would cut into profits, we were forced to lower our prices. ▪ The extra time I was spending at work was cutting into my time with my family.
cut it
informal 1 : to be able to do something well enough — usually used in negative statements ▪ After two weeks at the new job, he decided that he just couldn't cut it. [=that he couldn't do the job well enough to succeed] ▪ They didn't think that I would cut it as an actress. ▪ Everyone's using bold colors to decorate their homes. Plain white walls just don't cut it anymore. [=plain white walls are not acceptable anymore] 2 ◊People use the informal phrase any way you cut it to say that something is true no matter how you look at it or think about it.
▪ Any way you cut it, it was a pretty good year for our company. ▪ She's one of the world's best tennis players any way you cut it.
▪ Any way you cut it, it was a pretty good year for our company. ▪ She's one of the world's best tennis players any way you cut it.
cut it close (chiefly US) or chiefly Brit cut it fine
: to almost not be able to do something : to almost fail, lose, etc.
▪ They ended up winning the game, but they really cut it close [=they almost lost the game] at the end ▪ It's cutting it a bit fine to get to the station at 9:45 when the train leaves at 9:50!
▪ They ended up winning the game, but they really cut it close [=they almost lost the game] at the end ▪ It's cutting it a bit fine to get to the station at 9:45 when the train leaves at 9:50!
cut off [phrasal verb] 1 of a machine : to stop working suddenly : to turn off
▪ The engine suddenly cut off. [=cut out] ▪ The air-conditioning cut off, and the room was silent. 2 cut (something) off or cut off (something) a : to remove (something) by cutting
▪ Cut off dead flowers to promote new growth. ▪ I had very long hair, but I cut most of it off in college. ▪ He decided to cut off his beard. ▪ He was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. [=he was acting in a very excited and confused way]
b : to stop or end (something)
▪ They had a vote to cut off debate on the budget. ▪ The organization cut off its ties with the country's government. ▪ His family cut off all communication/contact with him after the incident.
c : to stop people from seeing or using (something) : to block (something)
▪ Their fence cuts off our view of the ocean. ▪ Many of the town's roads were cut off when the river overflowed. ▪ The army cut off all escape routes.
d : to stop the movement or supply of (something)
▪ The power was cut off to our apartment building. ▪ The earthquake cut off our water supply. ▪ They've decided to cut off funding/aid to the group. ▪ His main source of income had been cut off. 3 cut (someone or something) off or cut off (someone or something) : to cause (someone or something) to be separate or alone — often + from ▪ an island nation geographically cut off from the rest of the world ▪ They are cut off from (contact with) the outside world. ▪ She cut herself off from her family. ▪ He's emotionally cut off from his wife. 4 cut (someone) off or cut off (someone) a : to stop (someone) from talking
▪ I was in the middle of telling a story when she cut me off [=she interrupted me] to ask about dinner. ▪ He spoke for 12 minutes until his teacher finally cut him off. ◊If you get cut off when you are using the telephone, the telephone connection suddenly ends and you can no longer hear the other person.
▪ I called him, but we got cut off [=we got disconnected; the telephone connection ended] two minutes into our conversation.
b US : to drive in front of (someone in another vehicle) in a sudden and dangerous way
▪ He shouted at a driver who cut him off. ▪ Hey, that guy/car just cut me off!
c : to move ahead and force (someone) to stop
▪ “Sheriff, they're getting away!” “Don't worry, we'll take a shortcut and cut them off.”
d : to decide not to give money or property to (someone) after your death
▪ In her will, she cut off her son without a cent/penny. ▪ She cut him off completely.
e : to refuse to allow (someone) to drink more alcohol
▪ He's had too much to drink. We'd better cut him off. — see also 1cut 1d, 6 (above), cutoff
▪ The engine suddenly cut off. [=cut out] ▪ The air-conditioning cut off, and the room was silent.
▪ Cut off dead flowers to promote new growth. ▪ I had very long hair, but I cut most of it off in college. ▪ He decided to cut off his beard. ▪ He was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. [=he was acting in a very excited and confused way]
b : to stop or end (something)
▪ They had a vote to cut off debate on the budget. ▪ The organization cut off its ties with the country's government. ▪ His family cut off all communication/contact with him after the incident.
c : to stop people from seeing or using (something) : to block (something)
▪ Their fence cuts off our view of the ocean. ▪ Many of the town's roads were cut off when the river overflowed. ▪ The army cut off all escape routes.
d : to stop the movement or supply of (something)
▪ The power was cut off to our apartment building. ▪ The earthquake cut off our water supply. ▪ They've decided to cut off funding/aid to the group. ▪ His main source of income had been cut off.
▪ I was in the middle of telling a story when she cut me off [=she interrupted me] to ask about dinner. ▪ He spoke for 12 minutes until his teacher finally cut him off. ◊If you get cut off when you are using the telephone, the telephone connection suddenly ends and you can no longer hear the other person.
▪ I called him, but we got cut off [=we got disconnected; the telephone connection ended] two minutes into our conversation.
b US : to drive in front of (someone in another vehicle) in a sudden and dangerous way
▪ He shouted at a driver who cut him off. ▪ Hey, that guy/car just cut me off!
c : to move ahead and force (someone) to stop
▪ “Sheriff, they're getting away!” “Don't worry, we'll take a shortcut and cut them off.”
d : to decide not to give money or property to (someone) after your death
▪ In her will, she cut off her son without a cent/penny. ▪ She cut him off completely.
e : to refuse to allow (someone) to drink more alcohol
▪ He's had too much to drink. We'd better cut him off. — see also 1cut 1d, 6 (above), cutoff
cut off your nose to spite your face — see 1nose
cut out [phrasal verb] 1 of a machine : to stop working suddenly
▪ The plane's engines suddenly cut out. [=cut off] 2 chiefly US : to leave quickly and suddenly
▪ We were in a hurry to get home, so we cut out before the performance ended. 3 chiefly US : to move out of a line of traffic
▪ The other car/driver cut out from behind and sped ahead of us. 4 cut (something) out or cut out (something) a : to form (something) by cutting with a sharp tool
▪ He got a piece of red paper and cut out a big heart. = He cut a big heart out of a piece of red paper. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ She cut out [=carved out] a place for herself in history. [=she caused herself to be important in history] — see also 1cut 5 (above), cutout
b : to remove (something) by cutting
▪ I cut out the recipe from a magazine. ▪ cutting out newspaper articles ▪ Doctors cut out the lump from her chest.
c : to remove (something) from something
▪ Fortunately, they cut [=took] that scene out of the movie. ▪ He cut out sugar from his diet and began eating more fruits and vegetables. ▪ I focused on my work and cut out everything else in my life.
d : to stop doing (something)
▪ I've cut down on the number of cigarettes I smoke, but I'd like to cut out [=give up] smoking altogether. ▪ I told you to cut that out! [=I told you to stop that] ▪ That's enough, kids. I mean it! Cut it out!
e ◊If your legs, feet, or knees are cut out from under you, you are knocked down by something that hits your legs very hard. This phrase is often used figuratively.
▪ When I learned that I was seriously ill, I felt like my feet were cut out from under me. ▪ The financial legs had been cut out from under the program. [=the program lost money and could not do what it needed to do] 5 cut (someone) out or cut out (someone) : to cause (someone) to no longer be included in something
▪ She cut all of her children out of her will and left everything to her grandchildren. ▪ Don't cut me out of your life completely! ▪ We can save money by cutting out the middleman and ordering our supplies directly from the manufacturer. 6 ◊If you are cut out for (something) or cut out to do/be (something), you are naturally able or suited to do or be something.
▪ Why do you think that you're cut out for this job? [=why would you be good at this job?] ▪ I'm really not cut out for this kind of work. [=I'm not naturally good at it] ▪ He's not cut out to be a teacher. = He's not cut out to teach. — see also have your work cut out for you at 2work
▪ The plane's engines suddenly cut out. [=cut off]
▪ We were in a hurry to get home, so we cut out before the performance ended.
▪ The other car/driver cut out from behind and sped ahead of us.
▪ He got a piece of red paper and cut out a big heart. = He cut a big heart out of a piece of red paper. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ She cut out [=carved out] a place for herself in history. [=she caused herself to be important in history] — see also 1cut 5 (above), cutout
b : to remove (something) by cutting
▪ I cut out the recipe from a magazine. ▪ cutting out newspaper articles ▪ Doctors cut out the lump from her chest.
c : to remove (something) from something
▪ Fortunately, they cut [=took] that scene out of the movie. ▪ He cut out sugar from his diet and began eating more fruits and vegetables. ▪ I focused on my work and cut out everything else in my life.
d : to stop doing (something)
▪ I've cut down on the number of cigarettes I smoke, but I'd like to cut out [=give up] smoking altogether. ▪ I told you to cut that out! [=I told you to stop that] ▪ That's enough, kids. I mean it! Cut it out!
e ◊If your legs, feet, or knees are cut out from under you, you are knocked down by something that hits your legs very hard. This phrase is often used figuratively.
▪ When I learned that I was seriously ill, I felt like my feet were cut out from under me. ▪ The financial legs had been cut out from under the program. [=the program lost money and could not do what it needed to do]
▪ She cut all of her children out of her will and left everything to her grandchildren. ▪ Don't cut me out of your life completely! ▪ We can save money by cutting out the middleman and ordering our supplies directly from the manufacturer.
▪ Why do you think that you're cut out for this job? [=why would you be good at this job?] ▪ I'm really not cut out for this kind of work. [=I'm not naturally good at it] ▪ He's not cut out to be a teacher. = He's not cut out to teach. — see also have your work cut out for you at 2work
cut short — see 2short
cut (someone) dead
: to pretend not to see (someone you know) : to deliberately ignore (someone)
▪ When I saw her on the street yesterday, she cut me dead.
▪ When I saw her on the street yesterday, she cut me dead.
cut (someone) some slack — see 2slack
cut the Gordian knot — see gordian knot
cut the mustard — see mustard
cut through [phrasal verb]
cut through (something) : to get through or past (something that blocks you or slows you down) quickly and directly
▪ We were able to start the project once she told us how to cut through the red tape. ▪ It took some time to cut through the lies and get to the truth. ▪ cutting through all the nonsense — often + to ▪ cutting through to the heart/essence of the problem — see also 1cut 15 (above)
▪ We were able to start the project once she told us how to cut through the red tape. ▪ It took some time to cut through the lies and get to the truth. ▪ cutting through all the nonsense — often + to ▪ cutting through to the heart/essence of the problem — see also 1cut 15 (above)
cut to the chase — see 1chase
cut up [phrasal verb] 1 US, informal : to behave in a silly or rude way
▪ I was sent to the principal's office for cutting up [=clowning around] in class. — see also cutup 2 cut (something) up or cut up (something) : to cut (something) into parts or pieces
▪ He cut up the candy into little pieces and gave it to the child. — often + into ▪ The area was cut up [=divided] into three separate farms. ▪ They cut up the wood into small pieces. ▪ We made sandwiches and cut them up into triangles. 3 cut (someone or something) up or cut up (someone or something) a : to hurt or damage (someone or something) by cutting
▪ He got cut up pretty badly in the fight. ▪ His face and arms were all cut up.
b informal : to criticize (someone or something) in a harsh way
▪ The critics really cut up his last play.
c ◊In informal British English, to be cut up about something is to be very sad or upset about something.
▪ I was pretty cut up about the way the critics treated my last play. ▪ She's really cut up about losing her job.
▪ I was sent to the principal's office for cutting up [=clowning around] in class. — see also cutup
▪ He cut up the candy into little pieces and gave it to the child. — often + into ▪ The area was cut up [=divided] into three separate farms. ▪ They cut up the wood into small pieces. ▪ We made sandwiches and cut them up into triangles.
▪ He got cut up pretty badly in the fight. ▪ His face and arms were all cut up.
b informal : to criticize (someone or something) in a harsh way
▪ The critics really cut up his last play.
c ◊In informal British English, to be cut up about something is to be very sad or upset about something.
▪ I was pretty cut up about the way the critics treated my last play. ▪ She's really cut up about losing her job.
cut up rough
Brit, informal : to behave in an angry or violent way
▪ He got drunk and started to cut up rough.
▪ He got drunk and started to cut up rough.
cut your losses — see loss
cut your own throat — see throat
cut your teeth
— used to describe the things that people do when they are starting their careers ▪ He cut his teeth performing at local bars and nightclubs. ▪ She cut her political teeth [=she began her political career] as a volunteer during the 1992 presidential elections. — often + on ▪ Many television and movie stars cut their teeth on soap operas.
fish or cut bait — see 2fish
