verb | noun | adjective
cutcut1 /kʌt/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense and past participle cut, present participle cutting) 1
DIVIDE something INTO PIECES [intransitive, transitive] to use a knife, scissors, etc. to divide something into two or more pieces, or to remove a piece from the main part of something: Let me cut the cake. Using scissors, cut carefully along the dotted lines.cut something with something He cut the rope with his knife.cut through something We had to cut through the bolt to open the door.cut somebody something Can you cut me a piece of bread, please? Cut the apples into four pieces. They accidentally cut the cable in half.THESAURUSchop (up) – to cut meat, vegetables, or wood into pieces: Chop the garlic into small pieces and put it in the pan.slice – to cut bread, meat, or vegetables into thin pieces: She sliced some bread and put it on a plate.dice – to cut vegetables or meat into small square pieces: Dice the tomatoes and onions the same size.peel – to cut the outside part off an apple, potato, etc.: Are you going to peel the potatoes or leave the skins on?carve – to cut pieces from a large piece of meat: Who’s going to carve the turkey this year?shred – to cut vegetables into small thin pieces: He shredded the carrots and put them on top of the salad.grate – to cut cheese, vegetables, etc. into small pieces using a grater: I scraped my finger while I was grating the cheese.2REDUCE [transitive] to reduce the amount of something: The government has promised to cut taxes. This technology could cut our operating costs significantly. Over 300 jobs have been cut in the past year.cut something by $1 million/2%/half etc. Local residents may have to cut their water use by half.cut something off something The new highway cuts an hour off the trip.cut something from/to something His vacation has been cut from six weeks to just three.► see thesaurus at reduce3INJURE [transitive] to injure yourself or someone else using a sharp object such as a knife so that you start bleeding: His hand was bleeding where the knife had cut him. He cut his hand on some broken glass.cut yourself I cut myself shaving this morning. A man who tried to climb the fence cut open his leg.4MAKE something SHORTER [transitive] to make something shorter with a knife, scissors, etc., especially in order to improve its appearance: I need to cut my fingernails. You should get your hair cut today. I get ten dollars a week for cutting the Gilmours' grass.5MAKE A HOLE [intransitive, transitive] to make a hole in the surface of something, or to open it by using a sharp tool such as a knife: cut into Cut into the meat to see if it is done. Somebody cut a hole in the tent and stole our things. Students will cut open a frog and dissect it.6TOOLS [intransitive] if a tool cuts well or badly, it is easy or difficult to cut things with it: These scissors cut really well.cut through The knife can cut through a tin can.7MAKE something WITH TOOLS [transitive] to make or form something by cutting it from stone, metal, rock, wood, etc.: cut something from/out of/into something Steps had been cut into the cliff face.8FREE somebody [transitive] to cut something such as a rope or metal in order to let someone escape: cut somebody from something She had to be cut from the wreckage of her car.cut somebody free/loose The soldiers swiftly cut the prisoners free.9MOVIE/SPEECH/BOOK ETC. [transitive] a)to reduce the length of a movie, speech, etc. SYN shorten: The original version was cut by more than 30 minutes. b)to remove part of a movie, speech, or piece of writing, because it is not right or it might offend people SYN cut out, edit out: The director cut the scenes of cannibalism.► see thesaurus at remove10cut corners to do something in a way that is not perfect, in order to save time, effort, or money: One airline was accused of cutting corners on safety.11cut your losses to stop trying to do something that is already failing in order to prevent the situation becoming even worse: We decided to cut our losses and close the business.12IN A LINE [intransitive] to unfairly go in front of other people who are waiting to buy or do something: People get really angry if you try to cut in line. She just cut in front of me.13COMPUTER [intransitive, transitive] computers to remove something from a document on a computer: Cut and paste the picture into a new file (=remove it from one place and put it somewhere else).14cut a deal to make an agreement with someone, usually a business deal: The two sides have been unable to cut a deal.15cut a check to write a check or have one printed: We’ll cut a check for you at the end of the week.16cut class/school to deliberately not go to a class that you ought to go to, or to not go to school when you ought to: She started cutting classes and fighting with her parents.17cut something short to stop doing something earlier than was planned: The mission was cut short when some of the equipment failed.18cut somebody short to stop someone from finishing what he or she wanted to say: I tried to explain but she cut me short.19something cuts both ways informal used to say that something has advantages but also disadvantages: More money means more work – it cuts both ways.20STOP SUPPLY [transitive] to stop the supply of something, or to stop something from working: The power supply has been cut again.21DIVIDE AN AREA [intransitive, transitive] to divide an area into two or more parts: The river cuts the valley in two.cut through something The new road will cut through a conservation area.22MUSIC [transitive] if a musician cuts a record, they record their music on a record, tape, etc. SYN record: We cut this track in my studio at home.23cut something to the bone to reduce costs, services, etc. as much as possible: Our budget has already been cut to the bone.24cut to the chase informal to immediately start dealing with the most important part of something: Look, can we cut to the chase now?SPOKEN PHRASES25Cut! used by the director of a movie to tell everyone to stop acting, filming, etc.26not cut it (also not cut the mustard) to not be good enough to do something or deal with something: Those old excuses won’t cut it this time.27cut it close to leave yourself just barely enough time or money to do something: I don’t know – leaving at 6 is cutting it kind of close.28cut no ice (also not cut much ice) used to say that something you say will not make someone change his or her mind: I don’t think anything I say will cut much ice with him.29cut the cheese (also cut one) humorous to make air come out of your bowels SYN fart30TOOTH if a baby cuts a tooth, the tooth starts to grow through the gums31MAKE A MOVIE [transitive] to put the parts of a movie together so that they make a continuous story, getting rid of the parts you do not want SYN edit32CROPS [transitive] to cut a crop such as wheat so that the top part can be used SYN harvest33PLAYING CARDS [intransitive, transitive] to divide a deck of cards into two before starting to play34LINE [transitive] if a line cuts another line, they cross each other at a particular point35cut and run informal to leave a situation suddenly when it becomes too difficult, especially when you should stay: We sensed that Borden could cut and run at any moment.36cut your teeth (on something) to get your first experience of doing something by practicing on something simple: He cut his teeth as a tennis player by playing in junior championships.37cut somebody to the quick/core literary to upset someone very much by saying something cruel38cut a fine/odd etc. figure literary to have an impressive, strange, etc. appearance: With his flowing hair, Zhang cuts a striking figure on stage.39cut the cord to stop depending on someone, especially your parents: At 18, I figured it was time to cut the cord and move away from home.40ILLEGAL DRUG [transitive usually passive] to mix an illegal drug such as heroin with some other substance[Origin: 1200–1300 from an unrecorded Old English cytan] → see also cut it fine at fine2 (3), cut/give somebody some slack at slack2 (3), cut a swath/swathe through something at swath (3), cut/slit your own throat at throat (5), have your work cut out (for you) at work2 (15)cut across phrasal verb1if a problem or feeling cuts across different groups of people, they are all affected by it: Smith’s popularity cuts across racial lines.2to go across an area of land rather than around it SYN cut through: Try not to cut across other people’s campsites.cut away phrasal verb1cut something ↔ away to remove the unwanted or unnecessary parts from something: Cut away dead or diseased branches.2 if a television program or movie cuts away from something, it moves away from or stops showing a particular thing: Cut away from her face and focus on the puppies.cut back phrasal verb1cut (something ↔) back to reduce the amount, size, cost, etc. of something SYN decrease: She cut her class load back to spend more time with her family.cut back on We have had to cut back on spending. → see also cutback2 to reduce the amount of something that you eat, drink, or smoke, especially in order to improve your health SYN cut down: You smoke too much. You should cut back.cut back on I’m trying to cut back on fatty foods.3cut something ↔ back to remove the top part of a plant in order to help it to grow: Cut the main branches back in the spring.cut down phrasal verb1cut (something ↔) down to reduce the amount, number, or size of something SYN decrease: We need to do something to cut traffic congestion down.cut down on Reducing the speed limits will help cut down on accidents.2 to eat, drink, or smoke less of something that is bad for you, especially in order to improve your health SYN cut back: He still smokes, but he’s cut down a lot.cut down on I’m trying to cut down on the amount of coffee I drink.3cut something ↔ down to cut through the trunk of a tree so that it falls on the ground4cut something ↔ down to reduce the length of something such as a piece of writing: Let’s try to cut your speech down to six minutes.5cut somebody ↔ down literary to kill or injure someone with a gun, sword, knife, etc.: Dozens of soldiers were cut down as they tried to escape across the river.6cut somebody down to size to say something to make someone feel less important, successful, etc. than he or she had been feeling, especially when this is done deliberately to punish or embarrass someonecut in phrasal verb1 to interrupt someone who is speaking or a conversation by saying something: She was about to ask another question when George cut in.2 to suddenly drive into the space between two moving cars in a dangerous way: A blue Mercedes cut in right in front of me.3 if a part of a machine cuts in, it starts to operate when it is needed: The safety device cuts in automatically when needed.4cut somebody in informal to allow someone to take part in a plan to make money, especially a secret or illegal plan: cut somebody in on something They offered to cut me in on the deal.5 to ask permission to dance with someone who is already dancing with someone else: “Do you mind if I cut in?” Mark asked.cut into something phrasal verb1to reduce the amount of time, money, etc. that you have available for something, by using up a lot of it: Simon’s job was starting to cut into his social life.2if something such as a rope cuts into your skin, it is so tight that it cuts the skin and hurts itcut off phrasal verb1PIECE OF something cut something ↔ off to separate something by cutting it from the main part: We had to cut off some of the lower branches.THESAURUSamputate formal – to cut off someone’s arm, leg, foot, etc. in a medical operation: The foot became infected and had to be amputated.sever formal – to cut off a part of someone’s body in an accident or an attack: Her hand was severed in the accident.2STOP THE SUPPLY cut something ↔ off to stop the supply of something such as electricity, gas, water, money, etc.: The U.S. has cut off economic aid to the country. They’re going to cut the electricity off if you don’t pay the bill.3be cut off a)if a place is cut off, it is difficult to get to, for example because it is a long way from any other place or because the weather is bad: The resort town was cut off by a heavy snowfall. b)to be unable to communicate with other people or countries, for example because they are a long way away or because you are not allowed to: cut off from The islanders are cut off from the modern world.4INTERRUPT cut somebody off to interrupt someone and stop him or her from finishing what he or she is saying: Don cut him off before he had a chance to argue.5PREVENT somebody FROM ESCAPING cut somebody off to prevent someone from escaping by blocking his or her path: A policeman was waiting to cut him off.6DRIVING cut somebody ↔ off to suddenly drive in front of a moving car in a dangerous way: A woman in a green station wagon cut me off at the on-ramp.7TELEPHONE cut somebody ↔ off to suddenly lose the telephone connection to someone that you were speaking to: I don’t know what happened – we just got cut off.8STOP BEING FRIENDLY cut somebody ↔ off to stop having a friendly relationship with someone: Don’t let your son’s divorce cut you off from your grandchildren.9MONEY/PROPERTY cut somebody off to take away someone’s right to receive your money or property, especially when you die: My parents threatened to cut me off without a penny if I married him.10cut off your nose to spite your face to do something because you are angry, even though it will harm youcut somebody off from something phrasal verb to prevent someone from having or receiving something: His asthma cuts him off from a lot of activities.cut out phrasal verb1REMOVE something cut something ↔ out to remove something by cutting: The tumor had to be cut out. Children love looking at magazines and cutting out pictures.cut something out of something Rescue workers cut the four men out of the car.2CUT A SHAPE cut something ↔ out to cut a shape from a piece of paper, cloth, etc.: First cut out a large circle.3STOP DOING something cut something ↔ out to stop doing or eating something, especially because it is harmful to you: I’ve cut out all expenses that aren’t absolutely necessary.cut something out of something Sheila’s trying to cut sugar out of her diet.4STOP something FROM HAPPENING cut something ↔ out to stop something from happening or existing SYN eliminate: The goal of these reforms is to cut out fraud.5PIECE OF WRITING cut something ↔ out to take out part of a piece of writing, a news report, etc., especially because it might offend people SYN edit out: They cut out a lot of offensive language.6STOP somebody FROM BEING INVOLVED cut somebody out to prevent someone from being involved in something SYN exclude: cut somebody out of something They had cut me out of their plans. After the fight his mother had cut him out of her will (=removed his name from the list of people who would receive her money or property when she died).7Cut it/that out! used to angrily tell someone to stop doing something because it is annoying you: Rusty, cut it out, I’m trying to study in here.8not be cut out for something (also not be cut out to be something) to not have the qualities that you need for a particular job or activity: He realized he wasn’t cut out to be a police officer.9LIGHT/VIEW to prevent light from reaching somewhere, or prevent a particular view from being seen: Tinted windows help cut out the sun’s glare.10MOTOR if a motor cuts out, it suddenly stops working: The boat’s engine cut out halfway across the lake.11LEAVE informal to leave suddenly: Bob cut out right after the movie.cut through something phrasal verb1to go through a place rather than around it SYN cut across: I usually cut through the parking lot.2to make a path through a place with a lot of plants, by cutting them: We had to cut through the bushes to get to the house.3to move through something quickly and very easily: The boat cut effortlessly through the water.4to deal successfully with something that is confusing or difficult so that it is not a problem: How can we cut through the bureaucracy and get a decision?5literary if a sound cuts through silence or noise, it is heard because it is loudcut up phrasal verb1cut something ↔ up to cut something into smaller pieces SYN chop up: Just cut up the potatoes and throw them in with the meat.cut something up into pieces/squares/cubes etc. She cut the letter up into tiny pieces.2 to behave in a silly or loud way, especially in a situation where this behavior is not considered appropriate: Some of the kids were cutting up in the classroom. verb | noun | adjective
cutcut2 ●●● S2 W2 noun [countable] 1
REDUCTION [usually plural] a reduction in the size, number, or amount of something that someone has planned to make SYN reduction OPP increase: There will be cuts across all levels of the company.cut in cuts in the number of troops in the areabudget/job/tax/pay etc. cuts Democrats attacked the proposed spending cuts. The school will have to make cuts next year.big/drastic cuts drastic cuts in spending on health carecut of a cut of 1% in interest rates2WOUND a wound that you get if a sharp object cuts your skin: His arms were covered with cuts and bruises.cut on a bad cut on the forehead► see thesaurus at injury3HAIR [usually singular] a)the act of cutting someone’s hair SYN haircut: How much do they charge for a cut and blow-dry? b)the style in which your hair has been cut SYN haircut, hairstyle: a short stylish cut → see also crew cut4HOLE/MARK a hole in something, or a mark in the surface of something, made by something sharp: Make the first cut fairly shallow.5MONEY [usually singular] informal someone’s share of something, especially money: How much is my cut going to be?cut of Schools receive a 34% cut of the money the state lottery earns.6CLOTHES [usually singular] the style in which your clothes have been made: The cut of a suit is very important.7make the cut to be good enough to be included in something: Only six competitors made the final cut.8be a cut above something to be much better than someone or something else: Bella Pasta is a cut above the other Italian restaurants in town.9ACT OF CUTTING an act of cutting something: With one cut the boat was free.10REMOVING PART OF WRITING/MOVIE ETC. the action of removing part of a speech, piece of writing, movie, etc.: The censors insisted on several cuts.11MOVIE the process of putting together the different parts of a movie and removing the parts that will not be shown: Spielberg himself oversaw the final cut. The DVD includes the director’s cut of the film.12CHANGE OF SCENE a quick move from one scene in a movie or TV show to another: a cut to a scene from the man’s childhood13MEAT a piece of meat that is from a particular part of an animal, or the way a piece of meat has been cut: a particularly tender cut of beef14REMARK a remark that insults or criticizes someone: an unkind cut15ROAD a road that has been made through a hill verb | noun | adjective
cutcut3 adjective 1[only before noun] used to describe plants and flowers whose stems have been cut: cut flowers the smell of cut grass2used to describe a body part that has a cut on it: a cut finger3informal having muscles whose edge and shape are clear and easy to see4used to describe the way clothes are designed and made: I don’t like the way this jacket is cut.low-cut/high-cut a low-cut evening gown5used to describe something that has been cut with a tool: the cut end of the board