cut
♦♦♦ cut /k'ʌt/ (cuts cutting)
The form cut is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle.
1 [VERB] V n, V n prep/adv, V n n, V through n, V-ed
If you cut something, you use a knife or a similar tool to divide it into pieces, or to mark it or damage it. If you cut a shape or a hole in something, you make the shape or hole by using a knife or similar tool.
Mrs. Haines stood nearby, holding scissors to cut a ribbon...
The thieves cut a hole in the fence...
Mr. Long was now cutting himself a piece of the pink cake...
You can hear the saw as it cuts through the bones.
...thinly cut cucumber sandwiches.
[N-COUNT]
Cut is also a noun.
The operation involves making several cuts in the cornea.
2 [VERB] V pron-refl, V n, V-ed
If you cut yourself or cut a part of your body, you accidentally injure yourself on a sharp object so that you bleed.
Johnson cut himself shaving...
I started to cry because I cut my finger...
Blood from his cut lip trickled over his chin.
[N-COUNT]
Cut is also a noun.
He had sustained a cut on his left eyebrow.
...cuts and bruises.
3 [VERB] V n, have n V-ed, V-ed
If you cut something such as grass, your hair, or your fingernails, you shorten them using scissors or another tool.
The most recent tenants hadn't even cut the grass...
You've had your hair cut, it looks great...
She had dark red hair, cut short.
[N-SING]
Cut is also a noun.
Prices vary from salon to salon, starting at £17 for a cut and blow-dry.
4 [VERB] usu passive, V-ed
The way that clothes are cut is the way they are designed and made.
...badly cut blue suits.
5 [VERB] V across/through n
If you cut across or through a place, you go through it because it is the shortest route to another place.
He decided to cut across the Heath, through Greenwich Park.
see also short cut
6 [VERB] V n, V n by amount, V amount from/off n
If you cut something, you reduce it.
The first priority is to cut costs...
The UN force is to be cut by 90%.
...a deal to cut 50 billion dollars from the federal deficit.
= reduce
[N-COUNT] with supp, oft N in n
Cut is also a noun.
The economy needs an immediate 2 per cent cut in interest rates.
...the government's plans for tax cuts.
7 [VERB] V n
If you cut a text, broadcast, or performance, you shorten it. If you cut a part of a text, broadcast, or performance, you do not publish, broadcast, or perform that part.
The audience wants more music and less drama, so we've cut some scenes.
[N-COUNT]
Cut is also a noun.
It has been found necessary to make some cuts in the text.
8 [VERB] V n
To cut a supply of something means to stop providing it or stop it being provided.
They used pressure tactics to force them to return, including cutting food and water supplies.
[N-COUNT] with supp, usu N in n
Cut is also a noun.
The strike had already led to cuts in electricity and water supplies in many areas.
9 [VERB] V n
If you cut a pack of playing cards, you divide it into two.
Place the cards face down on the table and cut them.
10 [CONVENTION]
When the director of a film says `cut', they want the actors and the camera crew to stop filming.
11 [VERB] V n
When a singer or band cuts a CD, they make a recording of their music.
She eventually cut her own album.
12 [VERB] V n
When a child cuts a tooth, a new tooth starts to grow through the gum.
Many infants do not cut their first tooth until they are a year old.
13 [VERB] V n
If a child cuts classes or cuts school, they do not go to classes or to school when they are supposed to. (mainly AM)
Cutting school more than once in three months is a sign of trouble.
= skip
14 [VERB] V n
If you tell someone to cut something, you are telling them in an irritated way to stop it. (mainly AM INFORMAL)
Why don't you just cut the crap and open the door.
15 [N-COUNT] with supp
A cut of meat is a piece or type of meat which is cut in a particular way from the animal, or from a particular part of it.
Use a cheap cut such as spare rib chops.
16 [N-SING] oft poss N
Someone's cut of the profits or winnings from something, especially ones that have been obtained dishonestly, is their share. (INFORMAL)
The lawyers, of course, take their cut of the little guy's winnings.
= share
17 [N-COUNT]
A cut is a narrow valley which has been cut through a hill so that a road or railroad track can pass through. (AM; in BRIT, use cutting)
18
see also cutting
19 [PHRASE] v-link PHR n
If you say that someone or something is a cut above other people or things of the same kind, you mean they are better than them. (INFORMAL)
Joan Smith's detective stories are a cut above the rest.
20 [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR n
If you say that a situation or solution is cut and dried, you mean that it is clear and definite.
Unfortunately, things cannot be as cut and dried as many people would like...
We are aiming for guidelines, not cut-and-dried answers.
= clear-cut
21 [PHRASE] usu with broad neg
If you say that someone can't cut it, you mean that they do not have the qualities needed to do a task or cope with a situation. (INFORMAL)
He doesn't think English-born players can cut it abroad.
22 [PHRASE]
If you talk about the cut and thrust of an activity, you are talking about the aspects of it that make it exciting and challenging.
...cut-and-thrust debate between two declared adversaries.
23 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that something cuts both ways, you mean that it can have two opposite effects, or can have both good and bad effects.
This publicity cuts both ways. It focuses on us as well as on them.
24
to cut something to the bone: see bone
to cut corners: see corner
to cut the mustard: see mustard
to cut someone to the quick: see quick
to cut a long story short: see story
to cut your teeth on something: see toothcrew cut (crew cuts)
also crewcut
[N-COUNT]
A crew cut is a man's hairstyle in which his hair is cut very short.cut across
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If an issue or problem cuts across the division between two or more groups of people, it affects or matters to people in all the groups.
The problem cuts across all socioeconomic lines and affects all age groups...cut and dried
see cutcut back
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P on n, V P, also V n P
If you cut back something such as expenditure or cut back on it, you reduce it.
They will be concerned to cut back expenditure on unnecessary items...
The Government has cut back on defence spending...
We have been cutting back a bit: we did have thirteen horses, but now it's nine.
see also cutbackcut down
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P on n, V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P
If you cut down on something or cut down something, you use or do less of it.
He cut down on coffee and cigarettes, and ate a balanced diet...
Car owners were asked to cut down travel...
If you spend more than your income, can you try to cut down?
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you cut down a tree, you cut through its trunk so that it falls to the ground.
A vandal with a chainsaw cut down a tree.
= chop downcut glass
also cut-glass
[N-UNCOUNT] oft N n
Cut glass is glass that has patterns cut into its surface.
...a cut-glass bowl.cut in
[PHRASAL VERB] V P on n, V P with quote, also V P
If you cut in on someone, you interrupt them when they are speaking.
Immediately, Daniel cut in on Joanne's attempts at reassurance...
`Not true,' the Duchess cut in.
= break incut off
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P n (not pron), V n P
If you cut something off, you remove it with a knife or a similar tool.
Mrs Kreutz cut off a generous piece of the meat...
He cut me off a slice...
He threatened to cut my hair off.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron) from n, V n P
To cut someone or something off means to separate them from things that they are normally connected with.
One of the goals of the campaign is to cut off the elite Republican Guard from its supplies...
The storm has cut us off.
= isolate
● cut off [ADJ]
Without a car we still felt very cut off.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
To cut off a supply of something means to stop providing it or stop it being provided.
The rebels have cut off electricity from the capital...
Why cut the money off?
4 [PHRASAL VERB] get/be V-ed P, V n P
If you get cut off when you are on the telephone, the line is suddenly disconnected and you can no longer speak to the other person.
When you do get through, you've got to say your piece quickly before you get cut off...
I'm going to cut you off now because we've got lots of callers waiting.
= disconnect
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, also V P n (not pron)
If you cut someone off when they are speaking, you interrupt them and stop them from speaking.
`But, sir, I'm under orders to-' Clark cut him off. `Don't argue with me.'
6
to cut off your nose to spite your face: see spite
see also cut-offcut out
[ADJ] usu with brd-neg, v-link ADJ, ADJ for n, ADJ to-inf
If you are not cut out for a particular type of work, you do not have the qualities that are needed to be able to do it well.
I left medicine anyway. I wasn't really cut out for it...cut out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you cut something out, you remove or separate it from what surrounds it using scissors or a knife.
Cut out the coupon and send those cheques off today...
I cut it out and pinned it to my studio wall.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P n (not pron) from/of n
If you cut out a part of a text, you do not print, publish, or broadcast that part, because to include it would make the text too long or unacceptable.
I listened to the programme and found they'd cut out all the interesting stuff...
Her editors wanted her to cut out the poetry from her novel...
= cut, omit
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
To cut out something unnecessary or unwanted means to remove it completely from a situation. For example, if you cut out a particular type of food, you stop eating it, usually because it is bad for you.
I've simply cut egg yolks out entirely...
A guilty plea cuts out the need for a long trial.
= eliminate
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V it P, V P n (not pron)
If you tell someone to cut something out, you are telling them in an irritated way to stop it. (INFORMAL)
Do yourself a favour, and cut that behaviour out...
`Cut it out, Chip,' I said...
He had better cut out the nonsense.
= stop
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P of n, V n P of n, be V-ed P, also V P n (not pron)
If you cut someone out of an activity, you do not allow them to be involved in it. If you cut someone out of a will, you do not allow them to share in it.
Environmentalists say this would cut them out of the debate over what to do with public lands...
`Cut her out of your will,' urged his nephew...
He felt that he was being cut out.
= exclude
≠ include
6 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If an object cuts out the light, it is between you and the light so that you are in the dark.
The curtains were half drawn to cut out the sunlight.
7 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If an engine cuts out, it suddenly stops working.
The helicopter crash landed when one of its two engines cut out.
8
to have your work cut out: see work
see also cut out, cut-outcut up
[ADJ] v-link ADJ
If you are cut up about something that has happened, you are very unhappy because of it. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)
Terry was very cut up about Jim's death.cut up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you cut something up, you cut it into several pieces.
He sits in his apartment cutting up magazines...
Halve the tomatoes, then cut them up coarsely.
see also cut up
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If one driver cuts another driver up, the first driver goes too close in front of the second one, for example after passing them.
They were crossing from lane to lane, cutting everyone up.pow|er cut (power cuts)
[N-COUNT]
A power cut is a period of time when the electricity supply to a particular building or area is stopped, sometimes deliberately. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use outage)short cut (short cuts)
also short-cut, shortcut
1 [N-COUNT]
A short cut is a quicker way of getting somewhere than the usual route.
I tried to take a short cut and got lost.
2 [N-COUNT] oft N to n
A short cut is a method of achieving something more quickly or more easily than if you use the usual methods.
Fame can be a shortcut to love and money...
3 [N-COUNT]
On a computer, a shortcut is an icon on the desktop that allows you to go immediately to a program, document and so on. (COMPUTING)
...ways to move or copy icons or create shortcuts in Windows.
4 [N-COUNT]
On a computer, a shortcut is a keystroke or a combination of keystrokes that allows you to give commands without using the mouse. (COMPUTING)
...a handy keyboard shortcut that takes you to the top of the screen.
The form cut is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle.
1 [VERB] V n, V n prep/adv, V n n, V through n, V-ed
If you cut something, you use a knife or a similar tool to divide it into pieces, or to mark it or damage it. If you cut a shape or a hole in something, you make the shape or hole by using a knife or similar tool.
Mrs. Haines stood nearby, holding scissors to cut a ribbon...
The thieves cut a hole in the fence...
Mr. Long was now cutting himself a piece of the pink cake...
You can hear the saw as it cuts through the bones.
...thinly cut cucumber sandwiches.
[N-COUNT]
Cut is also a noun.
The operation involves making several cuts in the cornea.
2 [VERB] V pron-refl, V n, V-ed
If you cut yourself or cut a part of your body, you accidentally injure yourself on a sharp object so that you bleed.
Johnson cut himself shaving...
I started to cry because I cut my finger...
Blood from his cut lip trickled over his chin.
[N-COUNT]
Cut is also a noun.
He had sustained a cut on his left eyebrow.
...cuts and bruises.
3 [VERB] V n, have n V-ed, V-ed
If you cut something such as grass, your hair, or your fingernails, you shorten them using scissors or another tool.
The most recent tenants hadn't even cut the grass...
You've had your hair cut, it looks great...
She had dark red hair, cut short.
[N-SING]
Cut is also a noun.
Prices vary from salon to salon, starting at £17 for a cut and blow-dry.
4 [VERB] usu passive, V-ed
The way that clothes are cut is the way they are designed and made.
...badly cut blue suits.
5 [VERB] V across/through n
If you cut across or through a place, you go through it because it is the shortest route to another place.
He decided to cut across the Heath, through Greenwich Park.
see also short cut
6 [VERB] V n, V n by amount, V amount from/off n
If you cut something, you reduce it.
The first priority is to cut costs...
The UN force is to be cut by 90%.
...a deal to cut 50 billion dollars from the federal deficit.
= reduce
[N-COUNT] with supp, oft N in n
Cut is also a noun.
The economy needs an immediate 2 per cent cut in interest rates.
...the government's plans for tax cuts.
7 [VERB] V n
If you cut a text, broadcast, or performance, you shorten it. If you cut a part of a text, broadcast, or performance, you do not publish, broadcast, or perform that part.
The audience wants more music and less drama, so we've cut some scenes.
[N-COUNT]
Cut is also a noun.
It has been found necessary to make some cuts in the text.
8 [VERB] V n
To cut a supply of something means to stop providing it or stop it being provided.
They used pressure tactics to force them to return, including cutting food and water supplies.
[N-COUNT] with supp, usu N in n
Cut is also a noun.
The strike had already led to cuts in electricity and water supplies in many areas.
9 [VERB] V n
If you cut a pack of playing cards, you divide it into two.
Place the cards face down on the table and cut them.
10 [CONVENTION]
When the director of a film says `cut', they want the actors and the camera crew to stop filming.
11 [VERB] V n
When a singer or band cuts a CD, they make a recording of their music.
She eventually cut her own album.
12 [VERB] V n
When a child cuts a tooth, a new tooth starts to grow through the gum.
Many infants do not cut their first tooth until they are a year old.
13 [VERB] V n
If a child cuts classes or cuts school, they do not go to classes or to school when they are supposed to. (mainly AM)
Cutting school more than once in three months is a sign of trouble.
= skip
14 [VERB] V n
If you tell someone to cut something, you are telling them in an irritated way to stop it. (mainly AM INFORMAL)
Why don't you just cut the crap and open the door.
15 [N-COUNT] with supp
A cut of meat is a piece or type of meat which is cut in a particular way from the animal, or from a particular part of it.
Use a cheap cut such as spare rib chops.
16 [N-SING] oft poss N
Someone's cut of the profits or winnings from something, especially ones that have been obtained dishonestly, is their share. (INFORMAL)
The lawyers, of course, take their cut of the little guy's winnings.
= share
17 [N-COUNT]
A cut is a narrow valley which has been cut through a hill so that a road or railroad track can pass through. (AM; in BRIT, use cutting)
18
see also cutting
19 [PHRASE] v-link PHR n
If you say that someone or something is a cut above other people or things of the same kind, you mean they are better than them. (INFORMAL)
Joan Smith's detective stories are a cut above the rest.
20 [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR n
If you say that a situation or solution is cut and dried, you mean that it is clear and definite.
Unfortunately, things cannot be as cut and dried as many people would like...
We are aiming for guidelines, not cut-and-dried answers.
= clear-cut
21 [PHRASE] usu with broad neg
If you say that someone can't cut it, you mean that they do not have the qualities needed to do a task or cope with a situation. (INFORMAL)
He doesn't think English-born players can cut it abroad.
22 [PHRASE]
If you talk about the cut and thrust of an activity, you are talking about the aspects of it that make it exciting and challenging.
...cut-and-thrust debate between two declared adversaries.
23 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that something cuts both ways, you mean that it can have two opposite effects, or can have both good and bad effects.
This publicity cuts both ways. It focuses on us as well as on them.
24
to cut something to the bone: see bone
to cut corners: see corner
to cut the mustard: see mustard
to cut someone to the quick: see quick
to cut a long story short: see story
to cut your teeth on something: see toothcrew cut (crew cuts)
also crewcut
[N-COUNT]
A crew cut is a man's hairstyle in which his hair is cut very short.cut across
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If an issue or problem cuts across the division between two or more groups of people, it affects or matters to people in all the groups.
The problem cuts across all socioeconomic lines and affects all age groups...cut and dried
see cutcut back
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P on n, V P, also V n P
If you cut back something such as expenditure or cut back on it, you reduce it.
They will be concerned to cut back expenditure on unnecessary items...
The Government has cut back on defence spending...
We have been cutting back a bit: we did have thirteen horses, but now it's nine.
see also cutbackcut down
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P on n, V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P
If you cut down on something or cut down something, you use or do less of it.
He cut down on coffee and cigarettes, and ate a balanced diet...
Car owners were asked to cut down travel...
If you spend more than your income, can you try to cut down?
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you cut down a tree, you cut through its trunk so that it falls to the ground.
A vandal with a chainsaw cut down a tree.
= chop downcut glass
also cut-glass
[N-UNCOUNT] oft N n
Cut glass is glass that has patterns cut into its surface.
...a cut-glass bowl.cut in
[PHRASAL VERB] V P on n, V P with quote, also V P
If you cut in on someone, you interrupt them when they are speaking.
Immediately, Daniel cut in on Joanne's attempts at reassurance...
`Not true,' the Duchess cut in.
= break incut off
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P n (not pron), V n P
If you cut something off, you remove it with a knife or a similar tool.
Mrs Kreutz cut off a generous piece of the meat...
He cut me off a slice...
He threatened to cut my hair off.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron) from n, V n P
To cut someone or something off means to separate them from things that they are normally connected with.
One of the goals of the campaign is to cut off the elite Republican Guard from its supplies...
The storm has cut us off.
= isolate
● cut off [ADJ]
Without a car we still felt very cut off.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
To cut off a supply of something means to stop providing it or stop it being provided.
The rebels have cut off electricity from the capital...
Why cut the money off?
4 [PHRASAL VERB] get/be V-ed P, V n P
If you get cut off when you are on the telephone, the line is suddenly disconnected and you can no longer speak to the other person.
When you do get through, you've got to say your piece quickly before you get cut off...
I'm going to cut you off now because we've got lots of callers waiting.
= disconnect
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, also V P n (not pron)
If you cut someone off when they are speaking, you interrupt them and stop them from speaking.
`But, sir, I'm under orders to-' Clark cut him off. `Don't argue with me.'
6
to cut off your nose to spite your face: see spite
see also cut-offcut out
[ADJ] usu with brd-neg, v-link ADJ, ADJ for n, ADJ to-inf
If you are not cut out for a particular type of work, you do not have the qualities that are needed to be able to do it well.
I left medicine anyway. I wasn't really cut out for it...cut out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you cut something out, you remove or separate it from what surrounds it using scissors or a knife.
Cut out the coupon and send those cheques off today...
I cut it out and pinned it to my studio wall.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P n (not pron) from/of n
If you cut out a part of a text, you do not print, publish, or broadcast that part, because to include it would make the text too long or unacceptable.
I listened to the programme and found they'd cut out all the interesting stuff...
Her editors wanted her to cut out the poetry from her novel...
= cut, omit
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
To cut out something unnecessary or unwanted means to remove it completely from a situation. For example, if you cut out a particular type of food, you stop eating it, usually because it is bad for you.
I've simply cut egg yolks out entirely...
A guilty plea cuts out the need for a long trial.
= eliminate
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V it P, V P n (not pron)
If you tell someone to cut something out, you are telling them in an irritated way to stop it. (INFORMAL)
Do yourself a favour, and cut that behaviour out...
`Cut it out, Chip,' I said...
He had better cut out the nonsense.
= stop
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P of n, V n P of n, be V-ed P, also V P n (not pron)
If you cut someone out of an activity, you do not allow them to be involved in it. If you cut someone out of a will, you do not allow them to share in it.
Environmentalists say this would cut them out of the debate over what to do with public lands...
`Cut her out of your will,' urged his nephew...
He felt that he was being cut out.
= exclude
≠ include
6 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If an object cuts out the light, it is between you and the light so that you are in the dark.
The curtains were half drawn to cut out the sunlight.
7 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If an engine cuts out, it suddenly stops working.
The helicopter crash landed when one of its two engines cut out.
8
to have your work cut out: see work
see also cut out, cut-outcut up
[ADJ] v-link ADJ
If you are cut up about something that has happened, you are very unhappy because of it. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)
Terry was very cut up about Jim's death.cut up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you cut something up, you cut it into several pieces.
He sits in his apartment cutting up magazines...
Halve the tomatoes, then cut them up coarsely.
see also cut up
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If one driver cuts another driver up, the first driver goes too close in front of the second one, for example after passing them.
They were crossing from lane to lane, cutting everyone up.pow|er cut (power cuts)
[N-COUNT]
A power cut is a period of time when the electricity supply to a particular building or area is stopped, sometimes deliberately. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use outage)short cut (short cuts)
also short-cut, shortcut
1 [N-COUNT]
A short cut is a quicker way of getting somewhere than the usual route.
I tried to take a short cut and got lost.
2 [N-COUNT] oft N to n
A short cut is a method of achieving something more quickly or more easily than if you use the usual methods.
Fame can be a shortcut to love and money...
3 [N-COUNT]
On a computer, a shortcut is an icon on the desktop that allows you to go immediately to a program, document and so on. (COMPUTING)
...ways to move or copy icons or create shortcuts in Windows.
4 [N-COUNT]
On a computer, a shortcut is a keystroke or a combination of keystrokes that allows you to give commands without using the mouse. (COMPUTING)
...a handy keyboard shortcut that takes you to the top of the screen.