Here's the ultimate list of phrasal verbs with “cut.”
“Cut across” Meaning and Examples
Cut out – Meaning 1
To traverse or cross some area to make the route shorter.
Example
If we hadn’t cut across the football field, we would have never arrived on time.
If we hadn’t traversed the football field instead of walking around it, we would have never arrived on time.
Cut out – Meaning 2
To affect two or more groups.
Example
The problems of this pandemic cut across economic classes.
The problems of this pandemic affect all economic classes.
“Cut back” Meaning and Examples
To reduce, to use less of something, to spend less in order to save, to consume less of something (normally used as “cut back on”).
Example
The doctor told Joannie she needed to cut back on sodas and sweets.
The doctor told Joannie she needed to consume fewer sodas and sweets.
We were spending too much money on takeout. Now we are trying to cut back and cook at home more often.
We were spending too much money on takeout. Now we are trying to spend less and cook at home more often.
If the government cuts back on vaccine funding, it will take longer to distribute the vaccines.
If the government reduces vaccine funding, it will take longer to distribute the vaccines.
“Cut Down” Meaning and Examples
Cut down – Meaning 1
To consume less of something, to do something less for your health. To reduce the amount of something, similar to cut back (also used as “cut down on”) To make something shorter.
Example
Mary is doing a new diet in which she has to cut down on salt.
Mary is doing a new diet in which she has to reduce the amount of salt.
Either you start cutting down on smoking, or you will harm your lungs.
Either you start smoking less, or you will harm your lungs.
You need to cut down some words of your essay. It is too long.
You need to make your essay shorter. It is too long.
Cut down – Meaning 2
To cut through a tree to make it fall to the ground. To cut and make trees fall.
Example
Despite all the protests in the Amazon, big companies keep cutting down trees.
Despite all the protests in the Amazon, big companies keep felling trees.
“Cut in” Meaning and Examples
Cut in – Meaning 1
To interrupt, as in a conversation or dance.
Example
The teacher was trying to explain, but this girl was always cutting in with unrelated questions.
The teacher was trying to explain, but this girl was always interrupting with unrelated questions.
Jeremy and Sharon were dancing when this annoying kid cut in and started dancing with her.
Jeremy and Sharon were dancing when this annoying kid interrupted them and started dancing with her.
Cut in – Meaning 2
To drive past another car and dangerously move in front of it.
Example
Did you see that? That car just cut me in and almost caused an accident!
Did you see that? That car just got in front of me dangerously and almost caused an accident!
Cut in – Meaning 3
To automatically start operating when necessary.
Example
My computer was about to explode when the cooling fan cut in.
My computer was about to explode when the cooling fan started operating.
“Cut into” Meaning and Examples
To interrupt or reduce the amount of something, normally money or time (similar to “cut back” and “cut down”).
Example
I hate doing the chores on weekends because it cuts into my resting time.
I hate doing the chores on weekends because it reduces my resting time.
No matter how hard I tried to concentrate, the neighbor’s loud music kept cutting into my thoughts.
No matter how hard I tried to concentrate, the neighbor’s loud music kept interrupting my thoughts.
“Cut off” Meaning and Examples
Cut off – Meaning 1
To remove something through cutting.
Example
Before peeling the carrots, cut off the tops.
Before peeling the carrots, remove the tops.
Cut off – Meaning 2
To stop or cut something completely.
Example
All flights were cut off due to the pandemic. Nobody could travel.
All flights were stopped due to the pandemic. Nobody could travel.
Cut off – Meaning 3
To stop someone from leaving, to block the way, to separate something or someone from other things.
Example
The criminal tried to escape, but the policemen cut off the route.
The criminal tried to escape, but the policemen blocked the route.
After the storm, a big fallen tree cut off our house from the rest of the city. We could not get out of it.
After the storm, a big fallen tree separated our house from the rest of the city. We could not get out of it.
Cut off – Meaning 4
To stop somebody from finishing a sentence, similar to “cut in.”
Example
His speech was cut off by the entrance of the rioters to the auditorium.
His speech was stopped by the entrance of the rioters to the auditorium.
Cut off – Meaning 5
To stop giving someone something. To stop being friends with someone.
Example
He is 35 years old, and his parents keep giving him money. They should cut him off.
He is 35 years old, and his parents keep giving him money. They should stop.
Andrea and Marge decided to cut Josey off. They don’t talk to her anymore.
Andrea and Marge decided to stop being friends with Josey. They don’t talk anymore.
“Cut out” Meaning and Example
Cut out – Meaning 1
To remove something by cutting, similar to “cut off.”
Example
The assignment was to cut out some articles from a newspaper.
The assignment was to remove some articles from a newspaper.
Cut out – Meaning 2
To cut or to eliminate something completely. To stop consuming or to eliminate something, especially for health reasons.
Example
My sister was so disappointed when they cut out her scenes from the commercial. She really wanted to be on TV.
My sister was so disappointed when they eliminated her scenes from the commercial. She really wanted to be on TV.
There’s this new trend of cutting out all carbs from your daily diet, but I don’t think I could live without bread.
There’s this new trend of eliminating all carbs from your daily diet, but I don’t think I could live without bread.
Cut it out – Meaning 3
Used as “cut it/that out,” it refers to telling someone to stop doing something you don’t like.
Example
I took my kid to the supermarket, and he kept running down the aisles. I had to tell him to cut it out.
I took my kid to the supermarket, and he kept running down the aisles. I had to tell him to stop.
Cut out for – Meaning 4
Used as to be “cut out for,” this refers to not having the abilities or qualities to do something.
Example
Ryan is not cut out for sports. He can’t even run.
Ryan does not have the ability to do sports. He can’t even run.
“Cut through” Meaning and Example
Cut through – Meaning 1
To go through or traverse some area to make the route shorter, similar to “cut across.” To make a path by cutting.
Example
The only reason he arrived faster is that he cut through the forest.
The only reason he arrived faster is that he traversed the forest.
I have seen many movies where they cut through the vegetation with a machete to walk.
I have seen many movies where they make a path by cutting the vegetation with a machete to walk.
Cut through – Meaning 2
To deal with something troublesome.
Example
We need to cut through all the administrative parts before opening the new store.
We need to deal with all the administrative parts before opening the new store.
“Cut up” Meaning and Examples
To chop something, to cut into many parts.
Example
My husband always forgets to cut up the food for our baby.
My husband always forgets to chop the food for our baby.
“Cut” phrasal verbs
There are many “cut” phrasal verbs. Did we miss something? Let us know in the comments!
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