1 cut /ˈkʌt/ verb
cuts; cut; cutting
1 cut
cuts; cut; cutting
Learner's definition of CUT
: to use a sharp tool (such as a knife) to open or divide (something, such as paper or wood)
[+ object]
sometimes used figuratively
[no object]
[+ object] : to make a hole or wound in (a person's skin)
[+ object] : to make (a hole) in something by using a sharp tool
[+ object] : to divide or separate parts of (something) by using a sharp tool
often + into
often + from
often + off
[no object]
: to be able to cut something
: to be able to be cut
[+ object] : to make (hair, grass, etc.) shorter by using a sharp tool (such as scissors)
[+ object]
: to give (hair or clothing) a certain style by cutting it usually used as (be) cut
: to give (something) a new shape by using a sharp tool
[+ object] : to make or form (something) by cutting or removing material
often + out
[+ object] : to make the amount of (something) smaller : reduce
often + off
[+ object]
: to make (a book, film, etc.) shorter by removing parts
: to remove (something) from a book, film, etc.
often + from
[+ object] : 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
see also cut-and-paste
[+ object] : to remove (a plant or part of a plant) by cutting it
◊ A cut flower is a flower that has been cut off the plant that it grew on.
[+ object] : to cause (something) to no longer be connected
[+ object] : to allow (someone or something) to be free, loose, etc., by cutting something that stops movement
see also cut loose at 1loose
[+ object] : to remove (someone) from a team, organization, etc. often + from
: to divide (a pack of cards) into two piles
[+ object]
[no object]
[+ object] : to divide (an area of land) into two parts
[no object] : to move or go across or through something
often used figuratively to describe something that is not limited in the usual way
[no object]
: to move quickly
: to move suddenly in a different direction
[no object] : to move in front of other people in a line
often + in
[+ object] chiefly US : to not go to (school or a class) when you should go to it
[+ object] informal : to record (a song, album, etc.)
[no object] : to suddenly move from one image or scene to another in a movie, television program, etc.
often + away
[no object] : to stop filming a scene in a movie or television show usually used as a command
[+ object] : to stop saying or doing (foolish or annoying things) usually used in phrases like cut the nonsense and (less politely) cut the crap
[+ object] : to stop (a motor) by moving a switch
often + off
[no object] : to go to or deal with something in a very direct way usually + to
: to cause painful feelings or emotions
[no object]
[+ object]
[+ object]
US : to make (alcohol) less strong by adding water or another liquid
: to make (a drug, such as heroin) less strong by mixing it with another substance
[+ object] : to cause (dirt, grease, etc.) to break apart and be removed

cut a check

: to write a check and give it to someone

cut a dash

see 2dash

cut a deal

: to make an agreement usually about business : to make a deal

cut a figure

◊ If you cut a fine/dashing/heroic (etc.) figure, you look very good and impressive.

cut and run

: to leave quickly in order to avoid danger or trouble

cut a rug

old-fashioned slang
: to dance in an energetic way

cut a tooth

of a baby
: to have a tooth begin to come through the gums

cut away

[phrasal verb]
cut away (something) or cut (something) away
: to remove (something that is not needed) by cutting
see also 1cut 20 (above), cutaway

cut back

[phrasal verb]
: to use less or do less of something
often + on
cut (something) back or cut back (something)
: to make (a plant) smaller or shorter by cutting its branches
: to reduce the size or amount of (something)
see also cutback

cut both ways

: to have both good and bad results, effects, etc.

cut corners

see 1corner

cut down

[phrasal verb]
: to use less or do less of something
often + on
cut (something) down or cut down (something)
: to remove (a tree or bush) by cutting through its trunk or base
: to reduce the size or amount of (something)
cut (someone) down or cut down (someone) : to kill or wound (someone)

cut from the same cloth

see cloth

cut ice

see 1ice

cut in

[phrasal verb]
: to join a conversation suddenly : interrupt
often + on
: to stop two people who are dancing and take the place of one of them
of a machine : to begin to work
cut (someone) in : to include (someone) in a group of people who are receiving money or other benefits
often + on
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
see also 1cut 17 (above)

cut into

[phrasal verb]
cut into (something)
: to reduce the amount of (something)

cut it

: to be able to do something well enough usually used in negative statements
◊ 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.

cut it close

(chiefly US) or chiefly British cut it fine
: to almost not be able to do something : to almost fail, lose, etc.

cut off

[phrasal verb]
of a machine : to stop working suddenly : to turn off
cut (something) off or cut off (something)
: to remove (something) by cutting
: to stop or end (something)
: to stop people from seeing or using (something) : to block (something)
: to stop the movement or supply of (something)
cut (someone or something) off or cut off (someone or something) : to cause (someone or something) to be separate or alone often + from
cut (someone) off or cut off (someone)
: to stop (someone) from talking
◊ 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.
US : to drive in front of (someone in another vehicle) in a sudden and dangerous way
: to move ahead and force (someone) to stop
: to decide not to give money or property to (someone) after your death
: to refuse to allow (someone) to drink more alcohol
see also 1cut 1d, cutoff

cut off your nose to spite your face

see 1nose

cut out

[phrasal verb]
of a machine : to stop working suddenly
chiefly US : to leave quickly and suddenly
chiefly US : to move out of a line of traffic
cut (something) out or cut out (something)
: to form (something) by cutting with a sharp tool
sometimes used figuratively
see also 1cut 5 (above), cutout
: to remove (something) by cutting
: to remove (something) from something
: to stop doing (something)
◊ 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.
cut (someone) out or cut out (someone) : to cause (someone) to no longer be included in something
◊ 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.
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)

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
often + to
see also 1cut 15 (above)

cut to the chase

see 1chase

cut up

[phrasal verb]
US, informal : to behave in a silly or rude way
see also cutup
cut (something) up or cut up (something) : to cut (something) into parts or pieces
often + into
cut (someone or something) up or cut up (someone or something)
: to hurt or damage (someone or something) by cutting
informal : to criticize (someone or something) in a harsh way
◊ In informal British English, to be cut up about something is to be very sad or upset about something.

cut up rough

British, informal
: to behave in an angry or violent way

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
often + on

fish or cut bait

see 2fish
2 cut /ˈkʌt/ noun
plural cuts
2 cut
plural cuts
Learner's definition of CUT
: an opening or hole made with a sharp tool (such as a knife)
: a wound on a person's body that is made by something sharp
: an act of making something smaller in amount : reduction
: the act of removing something from a book, movie, etc.
: a version of a movie at a particular stage of being edited
: a song on a record, tape, or CD
: the shape and style of a piece of clothing
: the act or result of cutting someone's hair : haircut see also buzz cut, crew cut
: a piece of meat that is cut from a particular part of an animal's body
: a part of something that is divided and shared among people usually singular see also a cut of the action at action
: the act of reducing the size of a group (such as a group of competitors) by removing the ones that are not good enough or that have not done well enough usually used with make or miss

a cut above

: better than other people or things

cut and thrust

chiefly British
: the lively and exciting quality of an activity in which people compete or argue with each other
Comments & Questions
Comments & Questions
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