cut

cut — verb

1. to press a sharp tool like a knife or a pair of scissors into the surface of an

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveA2
Definition

to press a sharp tool like a knife or a pair of scissors into the surface of an object so that it opens, divides, or becomes smaller, or so that a piece breaks off

Example

Aylin carefully cut the cardboard box open with a pair of scissors.

cut + object + open (resultative)

The new kitchen knife cuts through tomatoes very easily.

intransitive: cut through [sth]

Common collocations
  • cut through
  • cut into
  • cut in half
  • cut open
  • cut with a knife/scissors
  • cut paper/fabric/vegetables/hair
Synonyms
  • slice

    suggests thin, flat pieces; more specific than cut

  • chop

    implies a quick, strong downward motion, often with an axe or cleaver

  • sever

    means to cut completely through, separating something from the main body; more formal

  • trim

    means to cut off small amounts to make something neat or tidy

Antonyms
  • join

    to put parts together

  • attach

    to fasten one thing to another

Grammar Patterns

cut + object

cut + through/into/across + noun

cut + object + in/into + pieces

Usage Note

Frequently used with resultative adjectives (cut open, cut short, cut free) to describe the outcome of the cutting action. The intransitive use describes how well a tool performs: 'This blade cuts cleanly.'

Common Mistakes

I cut the paper with scissors in two pieces.
I cut the paper into two pieces with scissors.
Use 'into', not 'in', to describe the resulting parts.
She cut the onion and cried.
She cut the onion and started crying.
The cause-effect relationship is clearer with 'started' or 'began to'.

2. to make the amount, size, length, or cost of something smaller than it was befor

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to make the amount, size, length, or cost of something smaller than it was before, usually deliberately

Example

The company plans to cut its workforce by fifteen percent next year.

cut + noun + by + percentage

Manuela cut her hair short before the summer trip to Thailand.

cut + noun + adjective (resultative)

Common collocations
  • cut costs
  • cut prices
  • cut spending
  • cut the budget
  • cut jobs
  • cut production
  • cut hair/nails
  • cut by half/20%
Synonyms
  • reduce

    more general than cut; does not suggest a sharp or decisive action

  • lower

    used mainly for numbers, prices, or rates

  • shorten

    specifically about decreasing length or duration

Antonyms
  • increase

    to make something larger in amount or size

  • extend

    to make something longer in length or time

Grammar Patterns

cut + noun (amount/time/cost)

cut + noun + by + amount/percentage

cut + noun + from + number + to + number

Usage Note

Often used with by to specify the amount of reduction ('cut prices by 20%') and to to specify the new level ('cut waiting time to two days'). Commonly appears in business, finance, and planning contexts. Distinguish from reduce: cut often implies a quicker, more decisive reduction.

Common Mistakes

The government cut the budget for education.' (correct but vague)
The government cut the education budget by ten percent.
Adding 'by' makes the scale of the cut clear.
I need to cut weight.
I need to cut down on sweets to lose weight.
'cut' alone can mean reduce, but 'cut down on' is more natural for habits.

3. to use a sharp tool to separate a piece or part of something from the main body,

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to use a sharp tool to separate a piece or part of something from the main body, especially because it is unwanted, damaged, or no longer needed

Example

Hassan cut the dead branches off the rose bush to help it grow.

cut + object + off/away (removing part)

The tailor cut a long strip of fabric from the roll for the curtains.

cut + object + from + source

Common collocations
  • cut off a piece
  • cut away dead/rotten parts
  • cut out the bad section
  • cut from the roll/block
Synonyms
  • remove

    more general; can be done without a sharp tool

  • sever

    more formal and complete; implies cutting something off entirely

  • detach

    does not necessarily involve a cutting tool

Antonyms
  • attach

    to fasten or join one thing to another

Grammar Patterns

cut + object + off/out/away

cut + object + from + noun

Usage Note

The particle after cut (off, out, away, from) specifies the relationship between the removed piece and the original object. This sense differs from sense 1 in that the emphasis is on separation of a part, not on dividing the whole into smaller pieces.

4. to select and delete words, pictures, or other material from a digital file, kee

4.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to select and delete words, pictures, or other material from a digital file, keeping them in a temporary storage area for later placement into the same or another document

Example

Élise cut the paragraph from the email and pasted it into a new message.

cut + object + and + pasted (paired action)

You can cut the photo from your report and place it in the slide deck instead.

cut + object + from + noun + place/put

Common collocations
  • cut and paste
  • cut text
  • cut an image
  • cut from a document/file
Synonyms
  • delete

    removes content permanently without saving to clipboard

  • remove

    general term; not specific to computing

Antonyms
  • paste

    to insert content that has been cut or copied

  • copy

    duplicates content without removing it from the original location

Grammar Patterns

cut + object (text/image)

cut + object + from + noun + and + paste

Usage Note

Almost always paired with paste in computing contexts. The cut command removes the content from its original location (unlike copy, which leaves it in place). Commonly used with Ctrl+X (Windows) or Command+X (Mac).

Common Mistakes

I cut the text but I forgot to paste it, so I lost the original.' (ambiguous)
I cut the text but forgot to paste it before closing the document, so I lost it.
Make clear that cut removes the original content immediately.

5. to deliberately leave someone out of your will, so that they receive none of you

5.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to deliberately leave someone out of your will, so that they receive none of your money, property, or possessions after your death, often as a punishment or because of a broken relationship

Example

The elderly countess cut her eldest son out of her will after their argument.

cut + somebody + out of + will

In many countries, you cannot simply cut a spouse out of a will without their knowledge.

Common collocations
  • cut out of a/the will
  • cut off with nothing/a dollar
  • cut a child/son/daughter/spouse
Synonyms
  • disinherit

    formal legal term; less common in conversation

Antonyms
  • include

    to leave someone a share of property in a will

  • name

    to list someone as a beneficiary in a will

Grammar Patterns

cut + somebody + out of + will

cut + somebody + off

Usage Note

Most commonly used in the phrase cut someone out of a will or cut someone off with a symbolic amount. The verb disinherit is the formal legal equivalent but is less frequent in everyday speech. This sense is almost always followed by a prepositional phrase specifying what the person is cut from.

Common Mistakes

He cut his son from the will.
He cut his son out of the will.
The correct phrasal verb is 'cut out of', not 'cut from'.

6. to choose not to go to a lesson, school day, meeting, or other planned event tha

6.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to choose not to go to a lesson, school day, meeting, or other planned event that you are supposed to attend, especially when you have no valid excuse

Example

Sade cut two classes on Friday to finish her university application essay.

cut + class/lesson (school context)

Lien warned her roommate not to cut any more study sessions before the exam.

Common collocations
  • cut class
  • cut school
  • cut a lesson
  • cut a lecture
  • cut a session
Synonyms
  • skip

    more common in British English; also used for social events

  • ditch

    more informal and stronger; suggests abandoning something

  • bunk off

    British slang; 'bunk off school'

Antonyms
  • attend

    to go to a scheduled event

Grammar Patterns

cut + noun (class/lesson/session)

cut + noun + on + day/date

Usage Note

Informal and mainly used in North American English. In British English, skip is more common for this meaning ('skip school'). The object is typically a scheduled learning event such as a class, lesson, lecture, or study session. Not used for events like parties or social gatherings.

Common Mistakes

I cut the meeting because I was sick.
I missed the meeting because I was sick.
'Cut' implies a deliberate choice without a valid reason; use 'miss' for unavoidable absence.
She cut the party on Saturday.
She skipped the party on Saturday.
'Cut' is not used for social events.

7. to stop something that is happening or operating, such as an engine, a supply, a

7.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to stop something that is happening or operating, such as an engine, a supply, a film scene, or a conversation.

Example

The director cut the scene when Vinícius forgot his lines.

transitive: cut [scene/filming]

Please cut the engine while we refuel the boat at the dock.

transitive: cut [engine/power supply]

Common collocations
  • cut the engine
  • cut the power
  • cut the supply
  • cut a scene
  • cut short
  • cut off
Synonyms
  • stop

    more general; cut implies a more sudden or deliberate interruption

  • interrupt

    focuses on breaking the continuity rather than fully ending something

  • halt

    more formal; suggests a complete and forceful stop

Antonyms
  • start

    to begin or cause to begin operating

  • continue

    to keep something going without interruption

Grammar Patterns

cut + noun

cut + noun + short/off

cut + noun + adverb

Usage Note

Frequently used with an adverb or prepositional phrase that describes how or when the stopping happens (cut off, cut short, cut out). The transitivity depends on whether the thing being stopped is named as an object.

Common Mistakes

The movie suddenly cutted.
The movie suddenly cut out.
The past tense of cut is cut, not cutted; for a machine or device stopping, use cut out.
I cutted off the phone call.
I cut off the phone call.
Cut is an irregular verb with unchanged past form; cut off is the correct phrasal verb.

8. to interrupt someone who is still talking, usually by speaking over them or tell

8.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to interrupt someone who is still talking, usually by speaking over them or telling them to be quiet.

Example

Sofie tried to explain what happened, but Hiro kept cutting her off.

phrasal verb: cut [someone] off

I am sorry to cut you short, but we only have one minute left.

pattern: cut [someone] short

Common collocations
  • cut someone off
  • cut someone short
  • cut in
  • cut in on
Synonyms
  • interrupt

    more neutral; cut implies a ruder or more abrupt interruption

  • butt in

    informal; suggests the interrupter is unwelcome

  • break in

    slightly less forceful than cut in

Antonyms
  • listen

    to pay attention to someone speaking without interrupting

Grammar Patterns

cut + someone + off

cut + someone + short

cut + in

cut + noun

Usage Note

Often used in the phrasal verb forms cut off (separating the speaker from their listener) and cut in (joining a conversation abruptly). Cut someone short is slightly more polite than cut off.

Common Mistakes

She cut my talking.
She cut me off while I was talking.
The object must be the person, not the speech itself.
He cut in her sentence.
He cut in on her sentence.
Cut in requires the preposition on when followed by what was being said.

9. a forceful way of asking a person to end annoying speech or behaviour immediatel

9.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

a forceful way of asking a person to end annoying speech or behaviour immediately.

Example

"Cut it out, you two!" Aylin shouted as her children fought over the remote control.

imperative phrase: cut it out

Vinícius told his younger brother to cut out the annoying tapping on the table.

phrasal: cut out [behavior]

Common collocations
  • cut it out
  • cut that out
  • cut the noise
  • cut the nonsense
Synonyms
  • stop it

    less direct and forceful; cut it out carries more irritation

  • knock it off

    similar register but slightly more aggressive

  • pack it in

    British informal; can also mean to give up an activity

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

cut + it + out

cut + that + out

cut + the + noun

Usage Note

Almost always used in the imperative. Cut it out is the most common fixed phrase. Cut that out refers to a specific action just witnessed. More formal alternatives include 'please stop that' or 'that is enough'.

Common Mistakes

I cut it out to my friend.
I told my friend to cut it out.
Cut it out is a direct command; it is not used in reported speech without a reporting verb like told or asked.
Cut out it.
Cut it out.
The object pronoun it must come before the particle out, not after it, because cut out is a separable phrasal verb.

10. a baby cuts a tooth when it pushes up through the gum for the first time.

10.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

a baby cuts a tooth when it pushes up through the gum for the first time.

Example

The baby is cutting her first tooth and has been crying all night.

collocation: cut a tooth (first tooth)

Most babies start cutting their front teeth around six months of age.

common object: cut [front/molar] teeth

Common collocations
  • cut a tooth
  • cut teeth
  • cut a first tooth
  • cut molars
  • cutting teeth
Synonyms
  • teethe

    the more formal medical term; cut a tooth is the everyday expression

Grammar Patterns

cut + a tooth / teeth

Usage Note

Typically used in the continuous form (is cutting) and almost exclusively for human babies, though occasionally used for young animals. The older, idiomatic expression 'cutting one's teeth on something' is a separate figurative sense about gaining early experience.

11. to move across an area that is not the main path, doing so in order to arrive so

11.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to move across an area that is not the main path, doing so in order to arrive sooner.

Example

We cut through the park to reach the station before the train left.

pattern: cut through [place]

If you cut across the field, you will save at least ten minutes of walking.

pattern: cut across [place]

Common collocations
  • cut through
  • cut across
  • cut through the park
  • cut across the field
Synonyms
  • take a shortcut

    a noun-based alternative; cut through is more dynamic and informal

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

cut + through + place

cut + across + place

Usage Note

Always followed by a preposition (through, across, or around) that indicates the path taken. The object of the preposition is the area being crossed. This sense is intransitive — the place you are crossing is introduced by the preposition, not as a direct object.

Common Mistakes

We cut the park to save time.
We cut through the park to save time.
The preposition through or across is required; cut cannot take the place as a direct object in this sense.
I cut the street to reach the shop.
I cut across the street to reach the shop.
Use cut across, not cut (alone), when crossing a road or open space.

12. when operating a vehicle, to steer into the opposite lane while turning, instead

12.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

when operating a vehicle, to steer into the opposite lane while turning, instead of staying in your lane.

Example

The taxi driver cut the corner sharply and nearly hit a cyclist at the crosswalk.

transitive: cut the corner + adverb

You should never cut corners when driving on narrow mountain roads in the fog.

negative imperative: should never cut corners

Common collocations
  • cut the corner
  • cut a corner too tightly
  • cut corners while driving
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • stay in lane

    to keep the vehicle within the correct lane markings

Grammar Patterns

cut + the + corner

Usage Note

Do not confuse with the figurative idiom cut corners (meaning to do something carelessly to save time or money), which is more common and not limited to driving. In this driving sense, the meaning is literal: the vehicle crosses the centre line of the road.

Common Mistakes

❌ 'He cut the corner too fast and crashed.' — This sentence is actually correct for the driving sense. However, learners may mistakenly use it to mean 'he took the corner quickly but safely,' which is not the meaning — cut the corner implies the driver went onto the wrong side of the road.

13. to suddenly move in a different direction while running, driving, or flying, esp

13.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to suddenly move in a different direction while running, driving, or flying, especially to escape something or reach a target.

Example

The cyclist cut suddenly to the left to avoid the open car door.

cut + adverb of direction (to the left)

When the defender rushed at him, Jude cut sharply to the right and kept running.

cut + sharply + direction

Common collocations
  • cut to the left/right
  • cut sharply
  • cut hard
  • cut across
Synonyms
  • swerve

    more specific to vehicles; suggests a wide, fast sideways movement

  • veer

    suggests a gentler, less sudden change of direction

  • dodge

    emphasises avoiding something, often with a quick body movement

Grammar Patterns

cut + adverb/preposition of direction

Usage Note

Commonly followed by a direction word (left, right, across, upward) or an adverb such as sharply or hard. The subject is typically a person, animal, or vehicle that is already in motion.

Common Mistakes

He cut the road to the left.
He cut to the left on the road.
'cut' in this sense is intransitive and does not take a direct object of the path.

14. to split a stack of playing cards into an upper and a lower portion, typically b

14.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to split a stack of playing cards into an upper and a lower portion, typically before a game starts, so that the cards are in a different order and no one knows which card is on the bottom.

Example

Before dealing, please cut the deck so no one sees the bottom card.

cut + the deck (transitive)

Tara cut the cards and handed the bottom half to Luca.

Common collocations
  • cut the deck
  • cut the cards
  • cut the pile
Synonyms
  • split

    general term; less specific to card games

  • divide

    more formal; describes the action without the card-game context

Grammar Patterns

cut + the deck / the cards / the pile

Usage Note

Also used intransitively in phrases such as 'It is your turn to cut.' In casual card games, the person to the dealer's right usually cuts.

Common Mistakes

I cutted the deck before dealing.
I cut the deck before dealing.
The past tense of 'cut' is 'cut', not 'cutted'.

15. to make a professional recording of a piece of music or a performance, typically

15.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to make a professional recording of a piece of music or a performance, typically in a studio for release as a record, CD, or digital track.

Example

The band cut a new album in a small studio in Nashville.

cut + an album (music industry usage)

Renata cut her first single at the age of seventeen.

Common collocations
  • cut a record
  • cut an album
  • cut a track
  • cut a demo
  • cut a single
Synonyms
  • record

    the standard, neutral term; broader in application

  • lay down

    informal phrasal verb; suggests the studio recording process

  • produce

    focuses on the overall creation process, not just the recording act

Grammar Patterns

cut + a record / an album / a track / a single

Usage Note

Primarily used in the music industry. The verb 'record' is more general; 'cut' carries an informal, professional tone and is especially common in jazz, rock, and country music contexts.

Common Mistakes

We cut a video for the song.
We recorded a video for the song.
'Cut' is used for audio recordings (records, tracks, albums), not for video.
Phrasal verbs

cut back (on)

phrasal verb

to reduce the amount of something, especially money or resources that you use or spend

The town council decided to cut back on street cleaning to save money for the library.

cut down (on)

phrasal verb

to eat, drink, or use less of something, usually for health or financial reasons

Diya's doctor told her to cut down on sugar after her blood test results came back.

cut something off

phrasal verb

to remove a part of something by cutting it, or to stop the supply of something such as water, electricity, or communication

The landlord cut off the hot water supply because the tenant had not paid the bill.

cut somebody off

phrasal verb

to stop having a relationship with someone, especially a family member, often by refusing to give them money or talk to them

After the argument about the inheritance, Selim's father cut him off completely.

cut something out

phrasal verb

to remove a part of something by cutting around it, especially from paper, fabric, or a publication

Sofia cut out a picture of the Eiffel Tower from the magazine for her school project.

cut something out

phrasal verb

to stop doing or using something, especially a bad habit or unhealthy food

Lotte decided to cut out fried food entirely after the nutritionist's recommendation.

cut something up

phrasal verb

to divide something into several small pieces using a knife or other sharp tool

Beatrix carefully cut up the vegetables while the pasta was boiling on the stove.

cut in

phrasal verb

to interrupt someone who is speaking, or to join a conversation or activity without being invited

During the meeting, the manager kept cutting in while other people were giving their opinions.

cut across

phrasal verb

to go through a place instead of going around it, in order to reach somewhere more quickly

Instead of using the main road, we cut across the park and saved ten minutes.

be cut out for

phrasal verb

To have the right qualities for a particular role or activity.

Sara is not cut out for a career in sales.

Are you cut out for the challenges of mountain climbing?

be cut out to be

phrasal verb

To have the natural ability to become a certain type of person.

Diego was cut out to be a teacher from a young age.

She realized she wasn't cut out to be a doctor.

cut away

phrasal verb

To remove something by cutting it off.

The surgeon cut away the damaged tissue carefully.

Cut away the dead leaves from the plant.

cut back

phrasal verb

To reduce the amount or use of something.

We need to cut back on our electricity usage.

The company cut back its workforce by twenty percent.

cut down

phrasal verb

To reduce the size, amount, or frequency of something.

Brian cut down his sugar intake to lose weight.

The government plans to cut down on waste.

cut off

phrasal verb

To separate or stop the supply of something.

The storm cut off the electricity for three days.

Her family cut off all contact with her.

cut out

phrasal verb

To remove something by cutting, or to stop doing something.

Aiden cut out a picture from the magazine.

The doctor told him to cut out smoking.

cut through

phrasal verb

To go through something directly, often to save time.

We cut through the park to get to school faster.

The knife cut through the rope easily.

cut up

phrasal verb

To cut something into small pieces.

Mina cut up the vegetables for the salad.

The machine cuts up the paper into strips.

Idioms

cut corners

idiom

to do something in the cheapest or quickest way, often by ignoring rules or sacrificing quality

The builder cut corners by using cheap materials, and the wall collapsed within a year.

cut someone some slack

idiom

to give someone the freedom to behave with less strictness than usual, especially because they are under pressure

Felix had a terrible week at work, so his friends decided to cut him some slack and stopped teasing him.

cut to the chase

idiom

to start talking about the most important part of something without wasting time on details

After ten minutes of introductions, the chairperson told everyone to cut to the chase and discuss the budget.

cut it close

idiom

to finish or arrive just in time, leaving very little spare time

We cut it close — our train left two minutes after we jumped aboard.

cut both ways

idiom

to have both advantages and disadvantages, especially as experienced by both sides of a situation

The new law cuts both ways: it protects small shops but also limits how much they can sell.

cut and run

idiom

To escape quickly from a difficult situation.

When the police arrived, the thieves cut and ran.

Don't cut and run just because the project gets hard.

(not) cut it

idiom

To not be good enough to meet a required standard.

Maya's singing didn't cut it in the competition.

Do you think this cheap tool will cut it for the job?

cut — noun

cut — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

All five words involve making something smaller, but they differ in how the reduction happens and the impression it gives. Cut (very common, neutral register) implies a decisive, often deliberate reduction — a manager cuts costs by stopping entire programmes. Reduce (equally common but slightly more formal) is the broadest term and works in any context: reduce speed, reduce risk, reduce waste. Trim suggests making small, careful adjustments around the edges rather than a major cut — you trim a budget by removing minor expenses, not entire departments. Slash is more dramatic and informal, implying a deep, aggressive, or sudden reduction: the company slashed prices by 50%. Shorten specifically applies to length or duration: shorten a speech, shorten a waiting period. Use cut when the action is clear and sharp; use reduce for gradual or measured decreases; use slash for emphasis; use trim for small-scale fine-tuning; and use shorten for time or physical length.

cut ↗reduce ↗trim ↗slash ↗shorten ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • cut costs
  • cut prices
  • cut taxes
  • cut spending
  • cut jobs
  • cut ties
  • cut a deal
  • cut corners
  • cut a figure
  • cut a record
  • cut class
  • cut the rope
  • cut the deck

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The verb cut comes from Old English cyttan (to cut, carve), probably from a Germanic root *kut- meaning to split or divide. Related words exist in Old Norse (kuta — to cut), Old High German (chuzzan — to split), and Middle Dutch (cotten — to cut). The noun senses (a wound, a piece of meat, a share) developed directly from the verb. By the 14th century, cut was already being used for reducing amounts (cut prices). The sense of deliberately missing a class (cut class) dates from the late 18th century. The computing meaning (cut and paste) emerged in the 1970s alongside graphical user interfaces.