cut
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++cut1 /kʌt/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense and past participle cut, present participle cutting) 1 REDUCE PRICES/TIME/MONEY ETCreduce 减少 [transitive]REDUCE to reduce the amount of something 削减，裁减，减少 They’re introducing CCTV cameras in an attempt to cut street crime in the area. 为了减少该地区的街头犯罪，他们安装了闭路电视摄像机。 You need to cut the amount of fat and sugar in your diet. 你需要减少饮食中脂肪和糖的摄入量。 Scientists are warning that unless carbon emissions are cut, we could be heading for an environmental catastrophe. 科学家警告说如果不减少碳排放量，我们可能会面临环境灾难。 Seven hundred jobs will be lost in order to cut costs and boost profits. 为了降低成本，提高利润，将削减700个职位。 The major aviation companies need to cut prices if they are to compete with budget airlines. 大航空公司如果想和廉价的航空公司竞争，就需要降低价格。cut something by £1 million/$5 billion/half etc The welfare budget has been cut by $56 billion. 福利预算被削减了560亿美元。cut something off something A new direct service will cut two hours off the flying time between London and Seoul. 新开设的直航服务将使伦敦与首尔之间的航程缩短两小时。 Staffing levels had already been cut to the bone (=reduced to the lowest level possible). 人员配备已经削减到了最低限度。► see thesaurus at reduce2 DIVIDE WITH KNIFE ETCdivide STH with a knife, scissors etc 用刀、剪刀等分割某物 [intransitive, transitive]CUT to divide something or separate something from its main part, using scissors, a knife etc 切，割，剪 Do you want me to cut the cake? 要我切蛋糕吗？ The telephone wires had been cut minutes before the assault. 袭击前几分钟，电话线已经被切断。cut something with something Jane cut the cord with a knife. 简用小刀割断绳子。cut somebody something Can you cut me a piece of bread, please? 你帮我切一块面包，好吗？cut along/across/round etc Using a pair of scissors, cut carefully along the dotted lines. 用剪刀小心地沿虚线剪开。cut through We’ll need a saw that will cut through metal. 我们需要一把可以切割金属的锯子。cut something in half/in two Cut the orange in half. 把橙子切成两半。cut something into slices/chunks/pieces etc (=make something into a particular shape by cutting) 把某物切成薄片/大块/小块等 Cut the carrots into thin strips. 把胡萝卜切成细条。cut something to size/length (=cut something so that it is the size you need) 把某物切割成所需的大小/长度 The curtain pole can be cut to length. 这根窗帘杆可以切割成需要的长度。 → cut out, cut up3 GRASS/HAIR ETCmake STH shorter with a knife etc 用刀等把某物切短 [transitive]CUT to make something shorter with a knife, scissors etc, especially in order to make it neater 修剪，修理 For reasons of hygiene, we had to cut our fingernails really short. 为了卫生，我们要把指甲剪得很短。cut the lawn/grass/hedge etc From outside came the sound of someone cutting the hedge. 外面传来有人修剪树篱的声音。have/get your hair cut It’s about time you got your hair cut. 你该去把头发剪一剪了。4 remove parts from film etc 删剪影片等中的内容 [transitive] to remove parts from a film, book, speech etc, for example because it is too long or might offend people 删剪，删减，缩短5 MAKE A SHAPEmake a hole/mark 挖洞/做记号 [intransitive, transitive]CUT to make a hole or mark in the surface of something, or to open it using a sharp tool 凿；挖；刻6 WOUNDinjure 伤害 [transitive]CUT to injure yourself on something sharp that breaks the skin and makes you bleed 划破，划伤，割伤7 make/form STH by cutting 切割成某物 [transitive] to make or form something from a solid piece of wood, metal etc using a sharp tool 切成，削成，凿成，割成8 ESCAPElet SB get free 把某人放走 [transitive] to cut something such as metal or rope in order to let someone escape from where they are trapped 〔为放走某人而〕切开〔金属〕，剪断〔绳索〕9 tool/material 工具/材料 [intransitive] if a tool cuts well, badly etc, it cuts things well or badly etc 切割〔性能良好、不好等〕10 clothes 衣服 [transitive] if a piece of clothing is cut in a particular way, that is the way it is designed and made 把…剪成，剪裁11 on computer 在计算机上 [intransitive, transitive] to remove something from a document or file on a computer 〔把计算机上的文件〕剪切12 go a quick way 抄近路 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to get to somewhere by a quicker and more direct way than the usual way 抄近道，走近路 → shortcut13 DIVIDE AN AREAdivide an area 划分区域 [intransitive, transitive]SEPARATE to divide an area into two or more parts 划分〔区域〕14 PLAYING CARDSplaying cards 玩纸牌 [intransitive, transitive]DGC to divide a pack of cards into two 切（牌），倒（牌）15 MUSIC/RECORDmusic 音乐 [transitive]APM to produce a CD, song etc for people to buy 灌制〔唱片〕16. CROPScrops 农作物 [transitive]CUT to take the top part off crops such as wheat before gathering them 收割〔庄稼〕17 cut a deal to make a business deal 做成交易18 cut (somebody) a check American English informal to write a check for a particular amount of money and give it to someone （给某人）开支票n19. → cut!20 film 电影21. cut in line American English to unfairly go in front of other people who are waiting to do something 插队，不按次序排队22 cut class/school American English informal to deliberately not go to a class that you should go to 逃课23 cut your teeth (on something) EXPERIENCEto get your first experience of doing something and learn the basic skills （从某事上）获得初步经验24 cut corners FAST/QUICKto do something in a way that saves time, effort, or money, but that also results in it not being done properly 〔为了节省时间、精力或金钱而〕马虎从事，走捷径25 cut something short INTERRUPTto stop doing something earlier than you planned 提早结束某事，中断某事26 cut somebody short INTERRUPTto stop someone from finishing what they wanted to say 打断某人的话，插嘴27 cut the ... spokenHURRY an impolite way of telling someone to stop doing something because it is annoying you 停止…〔由于被激怒而制止对方〕28 cut somebody dead IGNOREto deliberately ignore someone when you meet them 不理睬某人，装作没看见某人29 cut your losses to stop doing something that is failing, so that you do not waste any more money, time, or effort 及早脱手以减少损失30. LINEline 线条 [transitive]HM if a line cuts another line, they cross each other at a particular point 相交31. TOOTHtooth 牙齿DHB [transitive] if a baby cuts a tooth, the tooth starts to grow 〔婴儿〕长〔牙〕，出〔牙〕32 cut somebody to the quick/bone literaryUPSET to upset someone very much by saying something cruel 对某人伤害极深33. cut to the chase informal to immediately start dealing with the most important part of something 马上切入正题34 cut a fine/strange etc figure literary to have an impressive, strange etc appearance 显得很好/很奇怪等35 cut your own throat HARM/BE BAD FORto behave in a way that will cause harm to yourself, especially because you are very offended or angry about something 自取其辱，自取其咎36 (it) cuts both ways EQUAL spoken used to say that something has two effects, especially a good effect and a bad one 有利有弊，有正反两种效果37. cut the ground from under somebody’s feet IMPRESSto make someone or their ideas seem less impressive by having better ideas yourself or doing something before they do 把某人比下去；先发制人38 cut and run informalLEAVE A PLACE to avoid a difficult situation by leaving suddenly 开溜，临阵脱逃39 cut no ice/not cut much ice PERSUADEif something cuts no ice with someone, it will not persuade them to change their opinion or decision 不能说动〔某人〕，对〔某人〕不起作用40. cut the (umbilical) cord DEPEND ON/RELY ONto stop being too dependent on someone, especially your parents 摆脱[停止]〔尤指对父母的〕依赖41 not cut the mustard GOOD ENOUGH informal to not be good enough 不够好，不符合要求42 ILLEGAL DRUGdrugs 毒品 [transitive]MDD to mix an illegal drug such as heroin with another substance 混合〔毒品和其他物质〕43. cut your coat according to your cloth SPEND MONEYto spend only as much money as you can afford 量入为出44 to cut a long story short spoken used to say that you are only going to mention the main facts of something 长话短说45 cut it/things fine (also cut it close American English) to leave yourself just enough time to do something 把时间掐得很紧，把时间安排得不留余地46 not cut it informal to not be good enough to do something 不能胜任，达不到要求［标准］47 cut a swathe through something literary to cause a lot of damage in a place or among a group of people 把〔某地〕夷为平地；给〔许多人〕造成严重破坏48. you could cut the atmosphere with a knife informal used to say that everyone in a place is very annoyed or angry with each other and this is very easy to notice 气氛很紧张n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: to reduce the amount of somethingnounscut costs (=reduce the amount you spend running a business, a home etc)They cut costs by getting rid of staff.cut pricesShops have been forced to cut their prices after very slow sales.cut taxes/ratesThe government is expected to cut interest rates next month.cut spending/borrowingIn the 1990s, governments worldwide cut military spending.cut jobsThe bank announced that it was cutting 500 jobs.cut crimeCameras have helped to cut crime in the town centre.adverbssharply/severely/drastically (=cut a lot)Housing benefit was sharply cut for all but the poorest people.phrasescut something to the bone (=reduce it to the lowest level possible)Funding for art and music in schools has been cut to the bone. THESAURUScut to divide something into two or more pieces, especially using a knife or scissors 切，割，剪Do you want me to cut the cake? 要我切蛋糕吗？He cut off the lower branches. 他剪掉了下面的树枝。snip to quickly cut something, especially using scissors 〔迅速地〕剪I snipped the label off. 我剪下标签。The hairdresser snipped away at her hair. 理发师剪掉她的头发。slit to make a long narrow cut through something, especially using a knife 〔尤指用刀〕割，裁开He slit the envelope open with a penknife. 他用一把小折刀划开信封。She slit through the plastic covering. 她在塑料盖上割开一道口子。slash to cut something quickly and violently with a knife, making a long thin cut 〔用力地〕切，割Someone had slashed the tyres on his car. 有人划破了他的汽车轮胎。He tried to slash his wrists. 他试图割腕自杀。saw to cut wood, using a saw (=a tool with a row of sharp points) 锯Saw the wood to the correct length. 把木头锯成适当的长度。chop to cut wood, vegetables, or meat into pieces 切，劈，砍Bill was outside chopping up firewood with an axe. 比尔正在外面拿着一把斧子劈木柴。They chopped down the old tree. 他们把这棵老树砍倒了。finely chopped onion 剁得细碎的洋葱slice to cut bread, meat, or vegetables into thin pieces 把…切成薄片I’ll slice the cucumber. 我来把黄瓜切成片。Slice the bread thinly. 把面包切成薄片。dice to cut vegetables or meat into small square pieces 把〔蔬菜或肉〕切成小方块First dice the apple into cubes. 先把苹果切成丁。grate to cut cheese or a hard vegetable by rubbing it against a special tool 磨碎，擦碎〔干酪或硬的蔬菜〕Grate the cheese and sprinkle it over the vegetables. 擦碎干酪撒在蔬菜上。peel to cut the outside part off something such as a potato or apple 给…去皮I peeled the potatoes and put them in a saucepan. 我把马铃薯削了皮放在深平底锅里。carve to cut thin pieces from a large piece of meat 〔从大块的肉上〕切下〔小片〕Uncle Ray carved the turkey. 雷叔叔切火鸡。mow to cut the grass in a garden, park etc 割〔草〕A gardener was mowing the lawn. 一个园艺工正在修剪草坪。trim (also clip) to cut a small amount off something, especially to make it look neater 修剪He was trimming his beard. 他正在修剪胡须。Trim the excess fat off the meat. 切去肉上多余的肥肉。n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: to divide something or separate something from its main part, using scissors, a knife etcphrasescut somebody a piece/slice of somethingShall I cut you a slice of cake?cut something in half/two (=into two pieces)Cut the tomatoes in half.cut something into pieces/slices/chunks etcNext cut the carrots into thin slices.cut something to size/length (=so that it is the size/length you need)The place where I bought the wood cut it to size for me.adverbscut something openCut open the avocado and remove the stone.cut something lengthways (=cut it in the direction that is longest)First cut the fish in half lengthways.cut something cleanly (=with no uneven edges)Branches should be cut cleanly from the tree. PHRASAL VERBS→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
cut• Mr Bates, prospective Conservative candidate for Langbaurgh, claimed the fire service training budget had been drastically cut.• Tax bases were broadened; marginal rates were cut.• Beth's at the salon having her hair cut.• Firms cut back further on orders.• A couple of the scenes had to be cut because they were too violent.• Because of the recession, salaries in the advertising industry have been cut by a half.• Kids cut class and ran down the street to watch the fire.• With a serrated knife, cut corn kernels off cob; set aside.• It's so difficult to cut even a couple of scenes from a play without losing some of the story.• His annual leave has been cut from six weeks to just three.• One of the children had cut her foot on some glass.• Phil cut himself shaving this morning.• I had to cut huge chunks out to get this essay to the right length.• Trim the fennel, cut into quarters and core.• My sister usually cuts my hair.• Rescue workers had to use special equipment to cut open the steel doors.• This cuts out the currency board as middleman, and has a similar economic effect.• It cut Romney Marsh off from the mainland.• Even after it had been cut, the film was still over three hours long.• Cut the fish into four pieces and serve hot or warm.• My dad used to cut the grass every Sunday morning.• Mandy cut the paper in half and gave a piece to each child.• First cut the paper into a triangle.• Beresford cut the scenes of cannibalism.• He cut the string and carefully unwrapped the parcel.• Iron and steel were hard and unyielding, yet here in the machine shop, you cut them like butter.• If you cut too many jobs, you overload the remaining employees.• I wish you wouldn't cut your fingernails in the living room.cut costs• But it regularly boasts of buying abroad to cut costs.• He observes that managed care companies have simply responded to employers who pay health benefits and want to cut costs.• The mapper will use components from existing spacecraft to cut costs.• Banks across the country tied the knot as a way to cut costs and boost earnings.• Mr Gummer unveiled a series of measures to cut costs at slaughterhouses.• We can cut costs by bulk purchasing and take advantage of national retail distribution channels.• Pressure to cut costs led to the firing of over 200 employees.• Banks are trying to cut costs to generate money to write off their bad loans.• It was their wage-reducing attempts to cut costs which led to Luddism.cut somebody something• Can you cut me a piece of bread too, please? cut the lawn/grass/hedge etc• If yours is still being mended, borrow your neighbour's mower and cut the lawn.• Suppose Vic's father chose this moment to spray his apple tree, Mungo thought, or cut the grass?• You know the drill: cut the grass; bag the clippings; haul them to the curb for pickup.• Quentin Featherston cut the grass of the rectory lawns again.• We won't be able to cut the grass the week after next, as I'd hoped.• Rotary mowers Hand or self-propelled, these cut the grass with a scything action as the blades revolve.cut into• The paraffin block was cut into 3 µm thick sections which were placed on slides.• The straw can be cut into a point at one end.• If the patient can only use one hand, food should be prepared ready to eat, cut into manageable pieces.• You sure cut into my fun.• Discounts may bring in shoppers, but they cut into retailers' profits.• Cut into the meat to see if it is done.• To serve, cut into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature.• It is not difficult to construct your own labyrinth, either in stones or cut into your lawn.cut your finger/knee/hand etc• The burr will prevent a proper fitting being made and can also cut your fingers.• He was not sure how he cut his hand, but suggested that he nicked himself while wrestling with his son.• He'd cut my fingers off if I used it.• One day Mr Jenks had cut his hand on a tin can.• In early December, Aesop cut his finger opening a can of cling peaches.• And the only guy hurt cut his hand opening an ammo can.• Sitting on the ground was Terry Porter who'd apparently fallen over and cut his knee quite badly. cut free• He had to be cut free.• Rex was trapped by his legs and had to be cut free.• Some were catapulted out of smashed windows, while others were trapped and had to be cut free.• The road, which is popular with tourists, was closed while the men were cut free.• They could let down extra wires to hold the branch and winch it up when it was cut free.• Two survivors - both women - were cut free after being trapped for 20 minutes in the wreckage.• Police said the bicycle, valued at £200, had been left chained to railings but was cut free by the thieves.• A man and a woman were cut free from the Honda, but the woman has since died.cut through/down/across etc• While it might cut down on drug-related crime, the total level of harm certainly would skyrocket, as more people indulged.• Because of business commitments he's cut down on his rescue work.• It's all part of a plan to cut down on the quantity of rubbish being taken to already overflowing landfill sites.• Those who did were swiftly cut down, peppered with birdshot, as they raised their guns to fire.• Former railroad rights of way cut across river bottoms that used to be littered with bustling towns.• The dart is ready to cut through the september evening.• Enrique cut through the woods towards the farm.• I had a sense that this was a much longer project that was cut down to a more commercial length.cut something in/into something• Cut the apples into four pieces. ncut!1.spoken said by the director of a film to tell people to stop acting, filming etc 停！〔导演口令〕Examples from the Corpus
cut!• Cut, people! That's a wrap!cut2 ●●● S2 W2 noun [countable] 1 REDUCTIONreduction 减少 [usually plural]REDUCE a reduction in the size or amount of something, especially the amount of money that is spent by a government or company 〔规模或数量，尤指政府或公司支出的〕削减，缩减，裁减2 WOUNDMIskin wound 皮肤的伤口 a wound that is caused when something sharp cuts your skin 伤口3 HOLE/MARKCUThole/mark 洞/记号 a narrow hole or mark in the surface of something, made by a sharp tool or object 切口；切痕4 HAIRhair 头发 [usually singular]5 clothes 衣服 [usually singular]DCC the style in which clothes have been made 〔衣服的〕款式，剪裁，式样 6 share of STH 某物的份额 [usually singular]MONEY someone’s share of something, especially money 〔尤指金钱的〕份额7. REMOVEremoval from film 从影片中删剪 an act of removing a part from a film, play, piece of writing etc, or a part that has been removed 删剪，删节；删掉的部分8 FILMAMFfilm 电影 [usually singular] the process of putting together the different parts of a film and removing the parts that will not be shown 剪辑9. music 音乐 one of the songs or pieces of music on an album, CD etc 〔唱片、磁带或激光唱片中的〕一首曲目10 the cut and thrust of something VIOLENTthe exciting but sometimes difficult or unpleasant way that something is done 某事物的激烈争斗；某事物的交锋11 be a cut above somebody/something BETTERto be much better than someone else or something else 优于某人/某物，比某人/某物高出一筹12 MEATDFmeat 肉 a piece of meat that has been cut to a size suitable for cooking or eating 〔适合烹调或进食的〕切下的肉块13. TTRroad 道路 American English a road that has been made through a hill 〔在山中开出的〕通道 → cold cuts, power cut, short cutn COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: a reduction in the size or amount of something, especially the amount of money that is spent by a government or companyverbsmake cutsThe country needs to make cuts in the carbon dioxide it produces.announce cutsA major engineering company has announced big job cuts.take/accept cuts (=agree to have something reduced)Some employees were forced to take pay cuts.NOUN + cuttax cutsThe president announced tax cuts.pay/wage cutsMillions of workers face pay cuts.job/staff cutsThere have been falling sales and job cuts at the newspaper.spending cutsHis proposals could involve spending cuts of up to £12 billion.price cutsThe company announced big price cuts on all its computers.defence cutsFurther proposals for defence cuts were drawn up.adjectivesdeep/severe cuts (=big reductions) Deep cuts were made in research spending.drastic/sharp cuts (=big and sudden reductions)He resigned over drastic cuts in the education budget. n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: a wound that is caused when something sharp cuts your skinverbshave a cut on somethingHe had a cut on his forehead.get a cut (on something)I fell and got a bad cut on my head.adjectivessmall/slightIt’s only a small cut.minorTwo passengers had to be treated for minor cuts.superficial (=not deep)I’m fine - just a few superficial cuts.bad/nasty (=wide or deep and bleeding a lot)The cut looked quite bad.How did you get that nasty cut?deepShe fell and got a deep cut on her leg.phrasescuts and bruises (=cuts and dark marks on the skin)He escaped the crash with just a few cuts and bruises. Examples from the Corpus
cut• Schools receive a 34% cut of the money the state lottery earns.• Cuts in the education budget have led to fewer teachers and larger classes.• There are to be big cuts in the health budget next year.• These pointed fingers were adjusted to be my guide and, apart from the very ends of each cut, were quite reliable.• Make the first cut fairly shallow, then push the saw deeper into the wood.• That's a very flattering cut.• Several passengers were treated for cuts and bruises.• Teachers are expecting further cuts next year.• Investigators found that her cut of the profits amounted to more than 25%.• The new management has promised that there will be no job cuts.• How much is my cut going to be?• Nurses are protesting about further pay cuts.• The whole team agreed to take pay cuts, rather than see their colleagues lose their jobs.• The censors insisted on several cuts.• Some senators have called for huge tax cuts to stimulate the economy.• The Kennedy and Reagan tax cuts came at a time when the economy was under-performing.• He knows the polls show voters would prefer smaller tax cuts.• They said the tax cut would reduce the amount of money flowing to schools.• It's a particularly tender cut of beef.• The emphasis on comfort has changed the cut of men's suits.• The cut should go to 1 / 4 inch from the other side of the card.• The distributors and the wholesalers all get their cut, and this is what pushes up the price.• His hands were covered with cuts and scrapes.make cuts• Always make cuts clean and smooth with no ragged, broken edges to the cut, or slivers of stem left exposed.• So assess your finances, look at where you can make cuts in expenses.• The only place where we could make cuts, without resetting the entire piece, was in the last paragraph.• Service companies have now begun to make cuts.• They have different styles: Warren runs downhill, looking to make cuts, while Broussard is more explosive.• The overwhelming weight of scientific opinion is that we need to make cuts of 60 % or more in carbon dioxide emissions.• Some others also plan to make cuts.cuts and bruises• These are typically chemical burns, cuts and bruises and eye injuries.• Most of the children were treated by the roadside for cuts and bruises some of them were in shock.• Tony Humphries from Northampton needed hospital treatment for cuts and bruises.• Their victim needed hospital treatment for cuts and bruises.• Apart from a couple of minor cuts and bruises, there were no injuries.• The commemorative battle was sufficiently well choreographed to avoid serious damage ... although there were still plenty of cuts and bruises.• He had suffered cuts and bruises.• Ian died instantly, Mark escaped with cuts and bruises.From Longman Business Dictionarycutcut1 /kʌt/ noun [countable]1a planned reduction in the amount or level of somethingcut inThe chairman took an $800,000 cut in pay last year because of poor profits.the president’s programme of budget cutsThough it announced price cuts in June, its PCs still sell for more than those of its foreign competitors.2informal the share of an amount of money that someone is allowed to take for themselves, especially as a reward or payment for helping someone to earn the total amountThe video has been hugely popular, yet Jones received only £1,600 after his agents took their cut.cutcut2 verb (past tense and past participle cut, present participle cutting) [transitive] to reduce prices, amounts, money etcShe criticized supermarkets for failing to pass on profits to customers by cutting prices.There’s always pressure on the organisation to increase productivity and cut costs.Unfortunately, we need to cut our workforce by a third.→ See Verb tableOrigin cut1 (1200-1300) From an unrecorded Old English cytancut1 verb →10-19 →20-29 →30-39
→40-48 →n GRAMMAR1 →n GRAMMAR2
→n COLLOCATIONS1 →n COLLOCATIONS2 →THESAURUS1 →PHRASAL VERBS1cut!cut2 noun →n COLLOCATIONS1 →n COLLOCATIONS2LDOCE OnlineChinese
→40-48 →n GRAMMAR1 →n GRAMMAR2
→n COLLOCATIONS1 →n COLLOCATIONS2 →THESAURUS1 →PHRASAL VERBS1cut!cut2 noun →n COLLOCATIONS1 →n COLLOCATIONS2LDOCE OnlineChinese
the Corpus reduce amount of something Business to
cut
cut1 S1 W1 /kʌt/ 
verb (past tense and past participle cut, present participle cutting)
They’re introducing CCTV cameras in an attempt to cut street crime in the area.
You need to cut the amount of fat and sugar in your diet.
Scientists are warning that unless carbon emissions are cut, we could be heading for an environmental catastrophe.
Seven hundred jobs will be lost in order to cut costs and boost profits.
The major aviation companies need to cut prices if they are to compete with budget airlines.
cut something by £1 million/$5 billion/half etc
The welfare budget has been cut by $56 billion.
cut something off something
A new direct service will cut two hours off the flying time between London and Seoul.
Staffing levels had already been cut to the bone (=reduced to the lowest level possible).
2. DIVIDE SOMETHING WITH A KNIFE, SCISSORS ETC [intransitive and transitive] to divide something or separate something from its main part, using scissors, a knife etc:
Do you want me to cut the cake?
The telephone wires had been cut minutes before the assault.
cut something with something
Jane cut the cord with a knife.
cut somebody something
Can you cut me a piece of bread, please?
cut along/across/round etc
Using a pair of scissors, cut carefully along the dotted lines.
cut through
We’ll need a saw that will cut through metal.
cut something in half/in two
Cut the orange in half.
cut something into slices/chunks/pieces etc (=make something into a particular shape by cutting)
Cut the carrots into thin strips.
cut something to size/length (=cut something so that it is the size you need)
The curtain pole can be cut to length. ⇨ CUT AWAY, CUT OFF, cut out, cut up
3. MAKE SOMETHING SHORTER WITH A KNIFE ETC [transitive] to make something shorter with a knife, scissors etc, especially in order to make it neater:
For reasons of hygiene, we had to cut our fingernails really short.
cut the lawn/grass/hedge etc
From outside came the sound of someone cutting the hedge.
have/get your hair cut
It’s about time you got your hair cut.
4. REMOVE PARTS FROM FILM ETC [transitive] to remove parts from a film, book, speech etc, for example because it is too long or might offend people:
The original version was cut by more than 30 minutes.
5. MAKE A HOLE/MARK [intransitive and transitive] to make a hole or mark in the surface of something, or to open it using a sharp tool
cut into
The blade cut deep into the wood.
cut something into something
Strange letters had been cut into the stone.
Cut a hole in the middle of the paper.
Cut open the chillies and remove the seeds.
6. INJURE [transitive] to injure yourself on something sharp that breaks the skin and makes you bleed
cut your finger/knee/hand etc
I noticed he’d cut his finger quite badly.
cut yourself (on something)
Marcie said she’d cut herself on a broken glass.
That knife’s extremely sharp__ Mind you don’t cut yourself.
On Eric’s chin was a scrap of cotton wool where he’d cut himself shaving.
She fell and cut her head open.
7. MAKE/FORM SOMETHING BY CUTTING [transitive] to make or form something from a solid piece of wood, metal etc using a sharp tool:
I’ll get a spare key cut for you.
cut something from something
The chair had been cut from the trunk of a tree.
8. LET SOMEBODY GET FREE [transitive] to cut something such as metal or rope in order to let someone escape from where they are trapped
cut somebody from something
She had to be cut from the wreckage of her car.
He was in the vehicle for an hour before he was cut free.
9. TOOL/MATERIAL [intransitive] if a tool cuts well, badly etc, it cuts things well or badly etc:
professional quality tools that cut efficiently and smoothly
10. CLOTHES [transitive usually passive] if a piece of clothing is cut in a particular way, that is the way it is designed and made:
The T-shirt is cut fairly low at the neck.
11. ON COMPUTER [intransitive and transitive] to remove something from a document or file on a computer:
To cut text, press Control + C.
Cut and paste the picture into a new file (=remove it and then make it appear in a new file).
12. GO A QUICK WAY [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to get to somewhere by a quicker and more direct way than the usual way ⇨ shortcut
cut through/down/across etc
I usually cut through the car park to get to work.
Let’s cut across the field.
13. DIVIDE AN AREA [intransitive and transitive] to divide an area into two or more parts
cut something in/into something
The river cuts the whole region in two.
cut through
The new road will cut through a conservation area.
14. PLAYING CARDS [intransitive and transitive] to divide a pack of cards into two:
First cut the pack, and then deal the cards
15. MUSIC [transitive] to produce a CD, song etc for people to buy:
The band cut their first single in 2001.
16. CROPS [transitive] to take the top part off crops such as wheat before gathering them
17. cut a deal to make a business deal:
A French company has reportedly cut a deal to produce software for government agencies.
18. cut (somebody) a check American English informal to write a check for a particular amount of money and give it to someone:
When the damage assessor called, he cut a check for $139.
19. cut__ spoken said by the director of a film to tell people to stop acting, filming etc
20. PUT A FILM TOGETHER [transitive] to put the parts of a film together so that they make a continuous story, and get rid of the parts you do not want
21. cut in line American English to unfairly go in front of other people who are waiting to do something
22. cut class/school American English informal to deliberately not go to a class that you should go to:
She started cutting classes.
23. cut your teeth (on something) to get your first experience of doing something and learn the basic skills:
Both reporters cut their journalistic teeth on the same provincial newspaper.
24. cut corners to do something in a way that saves time, effort, or money, but that also results in it not being done properly:
There’s a temptation to cut corners when you’re pushed for time, but it’s not worth it.
25. cut something short to stop doing something earlier than you planned:
The band has cut short its US concert tour.
Her athletic career was cut short by a leg injury.
26. cut somebody short to stop someone from finishing what they wanted to say:
I tried to explain, but he cut me short.
27. cut the ... spoken an impolite way of telling someone to stop doing something because it is annoying you:
Cut the sarcasm, Jane, and tell me what really happened__
Cut the crap (=stop saying something that is not true)__ I saw his car outside your house.
28. cut somebody dead to deliberately ignore someone when you meet them:
I saw Ian in town but he cut me dead.
29. cut your losses to stop doing something that is failing, so that you do not waste any more money, time, or effort:
He decided to cut his losses and sell the business.
30. LINE [transitive] if a line cuts another line, they cross each other at a particular point
31. TOOTH [transitive] if a baby cuts a tooth, the tooth starts to grow
32. cut somebody to the quick/bone literary to upset someone very much by saying something cruel:
His mockery frightened her and cut her to the bone.
33. cut to the chase informal to immediately start dealing with the most important part of something
34. cut a fine/strange etc figure literary to have an impressive, strange etc appearance:
Mason cuts a battered but defiant figure.
35. cut your own throat to behave in a way that will cause harm to yourself, especially because you are very offended or angry about something:
He’d just be cutting his own throat if he left now.
36. (it) cuts both ways spoken used to say that something has two effects, especially a good effect and a bad one:
The higher the interest rate, the greater the financial risk – which, of course, cuts both ways.
37. cut the ground from under sb’s feet to make someone or their ideas seem less impressive by having better ideas yourself or doing something before they do
38. cut and run informal to avoid a difficult situation by leaving suddenly:
Although the company has faced financial difficulties, they do not intend to cut and run.
39. cut no ice/not cut much ice if something cuts no ice with someone, it will not persuade them to change their opinion or decision:
It’s unlikely that these arguments will cut much ice with Democrats.
40. cut the (umbilical) cord to stop being too dependent on someone, especially your parents
41. not cut the mustard informal to not be good enough:
Other magazines have tried to copy the formula but have never quite cut the mustard.
42. DRUGS [transitive usually passive] to mix an illegal drug such as heroin with another substance
43. cut your coat according to your cloth to spend only as much money as you can afford
44. to cut a long story short spoken used to say that you are only going to mention the main facts of something:
To cut a long story short, he threw them out of the house.
45. cut it/things fine (also cut it close American English) to leave yourself just enough time to do something:
Even in normal traffic, 20 minutes to get to the airport is cutting it fine.
46. not cut it informal to not be good enough to do something:
Players who can’t cut it soon quit the team.
47. cut a swathe through something literary to cause a lot of damage in a place or among a group of people:
A series of bribery scandals has cut a swathe through the government.
48. you could cut the atmosphere with a knife informal used to say that everyone in a place is very annoyed or angry with each other and this is very easy to notice
■ nouns
▪cut costs (=reduce the amount you spend running a business, a home etc) They cut costs by getting rid of staff.
▪cut prices Shops have been forced to cut their prices after very slow sales.
▪cut taxes/rates The government is expected to cut interest rates next month.
▪cut spending/borrowing In the 1990s, governments worldwide cut military spending.
▪cut jobs The bank announced that it was cutting 500 jobs.
▪cut crime Cameras have helped to cut crime in the town centre.
■ adverbs
▪sharply/severely/drastically (=cut a lot) Housing benefit was sharply cut for all but the poorest people.
■ phrases
▪cut something to the bone (=reduce it to the lowest level possible) Funding for art and music in schools has been cut to the bone.
■ phrases
▪cut somebody a piece/slice of something Shall I cut you a slice of cake?
▪cut something in half/two (=into two pieces) Cut the tomatoes in half.
▪cut something into pieces/slices/chunks etc Next cut the carrots into thin slices.
▪cut something to size/length (=so that it is the size/length you need) The place where I bought the wood cut it to size for me.
■ adverbs
▪cut something open Cut open the avocado and remove the stone.
▪cut something lengthways (=cut it in the direction that is longest) First cut the fish in half lengthways.
▪cut something cleanly (=with no uneven edges) Branches should be cut cleanly from the tree.
▪ cut to divide something into two or more pieces, especially using a knife or scissors: Do you want me to cut the cake? | He cut off the lower branches.
▪snip to quickly cut something, especially using scissors: I snipped the label off. | The hairdresser snipped away at her hair.
▪slit to make a long narrow cut through something, especially using a knife: He slit the envelope open with a penknife. | She slit through the plastic covering.
▪slash to cut something quickly and violently with a knife, making a long thin cut: Someone had slashed the tyres on his car. | He tried to slash his wrists.
▪saw to cut wood, using a saw (=a tool with a row of sharp points): Saw the wood to the correct length.
▪chop to cut wood, vegetables, or meat into pieces: Bill was outside chopping up firewood with an axe. | They chopped down the old tree. | finely chopped onion
▪slice to cut bread, meat, or vegetables into thin pieces: I’ll slice the cucumber. | Slice the bread thinly.
▪dice to cut vegetables or meat into small square pieces: First dice the apple into cubes.
▪grate to cut cheese or a hard vegetable by rubbing it against a special tool: Grate the cheese and sprinkle it over the vegetables.
▪peel to cut the outside part off something such as a potato or apple: I peeled the potatoes and put them in a saucepan.
▪carve to cut thin pieces from a large piece of meat: Uncle Ray carved the turkey.
▪mow to cut the grass in a garden, park etc: A gardener was mowing the lawn.
▪trim (also clip ) to cut a small amount off something, especially to make it look neater: He was trimming his beard. | Trim the excess fat off the meat.
cut across something phrasal verb
if a problem or feeling cuts across different groups of people, they are all affected by it:
Domestic violence seems to cut across most social divisions.
cut something ↔ away phrasal verb
to remove unwanted or unnecessary parts from something by cutting it:
Cut away all the dead wood.
cut back phrasal verb
1. to reduce the amount, size, cost etc of something
cut back on
Several major hospitals are cutting back on staff at the moment.
cut something ↔ back
Education spending cannot be cut back any further.
Richer countries must do more to cut back carbon emissions. ⇨ cutback
2. cut something ↔ back to remove the top part of a plant in order to help it to grow:
Cut back the shoots in spring to encourage bushier growth.
3. to eat, drink, or use less of something, especially in order to improve your health
cut back on
Try to cut back on foods containing wheat and dairy products.
cut down phrasal verb
1. REDUCE to reduce the amount of something
cut something ↔ down
Installing double-glazing will cut down the noise from traffic.
cut down on
By getting the design right, you can cut down on accidents.
2. EAT/USE LESS to eat, drink, or use less of something, especially in order to improve your health:
I’ve always smoked, but I’m trying to cut down.
cut down on
Cut down on fatty foods if you want to lose weight.
3. TREE cut something ↔ down to cut through the main part of a tree so that it falls on the ground
4. KILL cut somebody ↔ down literary to kill or injure someone, especially in a battle:
Hundreds of men were cut down by crossbow fire.
5. REDUCE LENGTH cut something ↔ down to reduce the length of something such as a piece of writing:
Your essay’s too long – it needs cutting down a little.
6. cut somebody down to size to make someone realize that they are not as important, successful etc as they think they are
cut in phrasal verb
1. INTERRUPT to interrupt someone who is speaking by saying something:
‘What shall I do?’ Patrick cut in again.
cut in on
Sorry to cut in on you, but there are one or two things I don’t understand.
2. DRIVING to suddenly drive in front of a moving car in a dangerous way
cut in on
She cut in on a red Ford, forcing the driver to brake heavily.
3. MACHINE if a part of a machine cuts in, it starts to operate when it is needed:
The safety device cuts in automatically.
4. INCLUDE SOMEBODY cut somebody in informal to allow someone to take part in a plan or to make money from it
cut somebody in on
Come on, Joey, you promised to cut me in on this one__
cut somebody/something off phrasal verb
1. SEPARATE cut something ↔ off to separate something by cutting it away from the main part:
One of his fingers was cut off in the accident.
cut something off something
Cut the fat off the meat.
2. STOP SUPPLY cut something ↔ off to stop the supply of something such as electricity, gas, water etc:
The gas had been cut off.
The US has threatened to cut off economic and military aid.
3. get cut off to suddenly not be able to hear someone that you were speaking to on the telephone:
I don’t know what happened – we just got cut off.
4. be cut off
a. if a place is cut off, people cannot leave it or reach it:
In winter, the town is often cut off by snow.
b. to be a long way from other places and be difficult to get to:
Accessible only by air, the town is cut off from the rest of the country.
c. if someone is cut off, they are lonely and not able to meet many other people:
Many older people feel cut off and isolated.
5. STOP BEING FRIENDLY cut somebody ↔ off to stop having a friendly relationship with someone:
Julia had been completely cut off by all her family and friends.
cut yourself off (from somebody)
After his wife died, he cut himself off completely from the rest of the world.
6. INTERRUPT to interrupt someone and stop them from finishing what they were saying:
Emma cut him off in mid-sentence.
7. PREVENT SOMETHING cut somebody off from something to prevent someone from having something that they need or want:
The project aims to ensure that poorer people are not cut off from the benefits of computer technology.
8. MONEY/PROPERTY to refuse to let someone receive your money or property, especially when you die:
My parents threatened to cut me off without a penny if I married him.
9. DRIVING cut somebody ↔ off American English to suddenly drive in front of a moving car in a dangerous way:
A man in a station wagon cut me off on the freeway.
10. cut off your nose to spite your face to do something because you are angry, even though it will harm you
cut out phrasal verb
1. REMOVE SOMETHING cut something ↔ out to remove something by cutting round it:
The cancerous cells had to be cut out.
cut something ↔ out of
Billy showed me the article he’d cut out of the magazine.
2. CUT A SHAPE cut something ↔ out to cut a shape from a piece of paper, cloth etc:
The children were cutting out squares from the scraps of material.
3. STOP SOMETHING HAPPENING cut something ↔ out to stop something from happening or existing:
The idea behind these forms is to cut out fraud.
A catalytic converter will cut out 90% of carbon monoxide emissions.
4. STOP DOING/EATING SOMETHING cut something ↔ out to stop doing or eating something, especially because it might be bad for your health:
The current advice to pregnant women is to cut out alcohol.
5. FROM WRITING cut something ↔ out to remove something from a piece of writing, especially because it might offend people:
Cut out the bit about racial prejudice.
6. cut it/that out spoken used to tell someone to stop doing something because it is annoying you:
Hey, you guys, cut it out – Mom’s trying to get some sleep.
7. NOT INVOLVE SOMEBODY cut somebody ↔ out to stop someone from doing something or being involved in something:
The new rules will cut out 25% of people who were previously eligible to vote.
8. be cut out for something (also be cut out to be something) [usually in questions and negatives] to have the qualities that you need for a particular job or activity:
In the end, I decided I wasn’t cut out for the army.
Are you sure you’re really cut out to be a teacher?
9. ENGINE if an engine or machine cuts out, it suddenly stops working:
The engine cut out halfway across the lake.
10. LIGHT/VIEW cut something ↔ out to prevent light, sound etc from reaching somewhere:
You’ll need sunglasses that will cut out harmful UV rays from the sun.
11. cut somebody out to prevent someone from getting something, especially your money after your death:
Em’s father decided to cut her out of his will.
⇨ have your work cut out at work2(15), ⇨ cut out the middleman at middleman
cut through something phrasal verb
1. written to move or pass easily through water or air:
The boat cut effortlessly through the water.
2. to quickly and easily deal with something that is confusing or difficult:
You need someone to help you cut through all the irritating legal jargon.
3. literary if a sound cuts through silence or noise, it is heard because it is loud:
A piercing shriek cut through the silence.
cut up phrasal verb
1. CUT INTO PIECES cut something ↔ up to cut something into small pieces:
Could you cut the pizza up, please?
cut something ↔ up into
He cut the paper up into little pieces.
2. DRIVING cut somebody/something ↔ up British English to suddenly drive in front of a moving vehicle in a dangerous way:
Some idiot cut me up on the motorway.
3. BEHAVE BADLY American English informal to behave in a noisy or rude way
4. cut up rough British English informal to react in an angry or violent way:
Careful how you approach him – he can cut up a bit rough if he’s got a mind to.
5. CRITICIZE cut somebody ↔ up informal to criticize someone in an unpleasant way
⇨ cut up
cut2 S2 W2 noun [countable]1. REDUCTION [usually plural] a reduction in the size or amount of something, especially the amount of money that is spent by a government or company:
There will be cuts across all levels of the company.
cut in
Cuts in public spending mean that fewer people can go on to higher education.
The decision to make cuts in health care provision has been widely criticized.
tax/pay/job etc cuts
A shorter working week will mean pay cuts for millions of workers.
The building plans could be hit by possible spending cuts.
cut of
A cut of 1% in interest rates was announced yesterday.
2. SKIN WOUND a wound that is caused when something sharp cuts your skin:
That’s quite a nasty cut – you ought to get it seen to by a doctor.
The driver escaped with minor cuts and bruises.
3. HOLE/MARK a narrow hole or mark in the surface of something, made by a sharp tool or object:
Make a small cut in the paper.
4. HAIR [usually singular]
a. an 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 is cut
SYN haircut:
a short stylish cut
5. CLOTHES [usually singular] the style in which clothes have been made:
I could tell by the cut of his suit that he wasn’t a poor man.
6. SHARE OF SOMETHING [usually singular] someone’s share of something, especially money
cut of
She was determined to claim her cut of the winnings.
7. REMOVAL FROM FILM an act of removing a part from a film, play, piece of writing etc, or a part that has been removed
8. FILM [usually singular] the process of putting together the different parts of a film and removing the parts that will not be shown:
Spielberg himself oversaw the final cut.
9. MUSIC one of the songs or pieces of music on a record, cassette, or CD
10. the cut and thrust of something the exciting but sometimes difficult or unpleasant way that something is done:
the cut and thrust of political debate
11. be a cut above somebody/something to be much better than someone else or something else:
The movie is a cut above recent thrillers.
He proved himself to be a cut above the rest.
12. MEAT a piece of meat that has been cut to a size suitable for cooking or eating:
Long slow cooking is more suitable for cheaper cuts of meat.
13. ROAD American English a road that has been made through a hill
⇨ cold cuts, power cut, short cut
■ verbs
▪make cuts The country needs to make cuts in the carbon dioxide it produces.
▪announce cuts A major engineering company has announced big job cuts.
▪take/accept cuts (=agree to have something reduced) Some employees were forced to take pay cuts.
■ NOUN + cut
▪tax cuts The President announced tax cuts.
▪pay/wage cuts Millions of workers face pay cuts.
▪job/staff cuts There have been falling sales and job cuts at the newspaper.
▪spending cuts His proposals could involve spending cuts of up to £12 billion.
▪price cuts The company announced big price cuts on all its computers.
▪defence cuts Further proposals for defence cuts were drawn up.
■ adjectives
▪deep/severe cuts (=big reductions) Deep cuts were made in research spending.
▪drastic/sharp cuts (=big and sudden reductions) He resigned over drastic cuts in the education budget.
■ verbs
▪have a cut on something He had a cut on his forehead.
▪get a cut (on something) I fell and got a bad cut on my head.
■ adjectives
▪small/slight It’s only a small cut.
▪minor Two passengers had to be treated for minor cuts.
▪superficial (=not deep) I’m fine - just a few superficial cuts.
▪bad/nasty (=wide or deep and bleeding a lot) The cut looked quite bad. | How did you get that nasty cut?
▪deep She fell and got a deep cut on her leg.
■ phrases
▪cuts and bruises (=cuts and dark marks on the skin) He escaped the crash with just a few cuts and bruises.
| I |
verb (past tense and past participle cut, present participle cutting) Date: 1200-1300
Origin: From an unrecorded Old English cytan
1. REDUCE [transitive] to reduce the amount of something:Origin: From an unrecorded Old English cytan
cut something by £1 million/$5 billion/half etc
cut something off something
2. DIVIDE SOMETHING WITH A KNIFE, SCISSORS ETC [intransitive and transitive] to divide something or separate something from its main part, using scissors, a knife etc:
cut something with something
cut somebody something
cut along/across/round etc
cut through
cut something in half/in two
cut something into slices/chunks/pieces etc (=make something into a particular shape by cutting)
cut something to size/length (=cut something so that it is the size you need)
3. MAKE SOMETHING SHORTER WITH A KNIFE ETC [transitive] to make something shorter with a knife, scissors etc, especially in order to make it neater:
cut the lawn/grass/hedge etc
have/get your hair cut
4. REMOVE PARTS FROM FILM ETC [transitive] to remove parts from a film, book, speech etc, for example because it is too long or might offend people:
5. MAKE A HOLE/MARK [intransitive and transitive] to make a hole or mark in the surface of something, or to open it using a sharp tool
cut into
cut something into something
6. INJURE [transitive] to injure yourself on something sharp that breaks the skin and makes you bleed
cut your finger/knee/hand etc
cut yourself (on something)
7. MAKE/FORM SOMETHING BY CUTTING [transitive] to make or form something from a solid piece of wood, metal etc using a sharp tool:
cut something from something
8. LET SOMEBODY GET FREE [transitive] to cut something such as metal or rope in order to let someone escape from where they are trapped
cut somebody from something
9. TOOL/MATERIAL [intransitive] if a tool cuts well, badly etc, it cuts things well or badly etc:
10. CLOTHES [transitive usually passive] if a piece of clothing is cut in a particular way, that is the way it is designed and made:
11. ON COMPUTER [intransitive and transitive] to remove something from a document or file on a computer:
12. GO A QUICK WAY [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to get to somewhere by a quicker and more direct way than the usual way ⇨ shortcut
cut through/down/across etc
13. DIVIDE AN AREA [intransitive and transitive] to divide an area into two or more parts
cut something in/into something
cut through
14. PLAYING CARDS [intransitive and transitive] to divide a pack of cards into two:
15. MUSIC [transitive] to produce a CD, song etc for people to buy:
16. CROPS [transitive] to take the top part off crops such as wheat before gathering them
17. cut a deal to make a business deal:
18. cut (somebody) a check American English informal to write a check for a particular amount of money and give it to someone:
19. cut__ spoken said by the director of a film to tell people to stop acting, filming etc
20. PUT A FILM TOGETHER [transitive] to put the parts of a film together so that they make a continuous story, and get rid of the parts you do not want
21. cut in line American English to unfairly go in front of other people who are waiting to do something
22. cut class/school American English informal to deliberately not go to a class that you should go to:
23. cut your teeth (on something) to get your first experience of doing something and learn the basic skills:
24. cut corners to do something in a way that saves time, effort, or money, but that also results in it not being done properly:
25. cut something short to stop doing something earlier than you planned:
26. cut somebody short to stop someone from finishing what they wanted to say:
27. cut the ... spoken an impolite way of telling someone to stop doing something because it is annoying you:
28. cut somebody dead to deliberately ignore someone when you meet them:
29. cut your losses to stop doing something that is failing, so that you do not waste any more money, time, or effort:
30. LINE [transitive] if a line cuts another line, they cross each other at a particular point
31. TOOTH [transitive] if a baby cuts a tooth, the tooth starts to grow
32. cut somebody to the quick/bone literary to upset someone very much by saying something cruel:
33. cut to the chase informal to immediately start dealing with the most important part of something
34. cut a fine/strange etc figure literary to have an impressive, strange etc appearance:
35. cut your own throat to behave in a way that will cause harm to yourself, especially because you are very offended or angry about something:
36. (it) cuts both ways spoken used to say that something has two effects, especially a good effect and a bad one:
37. cut the ground from under sb’s feet to make someone or their ideas seem less impressive by having better ideas yourself or doing something before they do
38. cut and run informal to avoid a difficult situation by leaving suddenly:
39. cut no ice/not cut much ice if something cuts no ice with someone, it will not persuade them to change their opinion or decision:
40. cut the (umbilical) cord to stop being too dependent on someone, especially your parents
41. not cut the mustard informal to not be good enough:
42. DRUGS [transitive usually passive] to mix an illegal drug such as heroin with another substance
43. cut your coat according to your cloth to spend only as much money as you can afford
44. to cut a long story short spoken used to say that you are only going to mention the main facts of something:
45. cut it/things fine (also cut it close American English) to leave yourself just enough time to do something:
46. not cut it informal to not be good enough to do something:
47. cut a swathe through something literary to cause a lot of damage in a place or among a group of people:
48. you could cut the atmosphere with a knife informal used to say that everyone in a place is very annoyed or angry with each other and this is very easy to notice
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cut across something phrasal verb
if a problem or feeling cuts across different groups of people, they are all affected by it:
cut something ↔ away phrasal verb
to remove unwanted or unnecessary parts from something by cutting it:
cut back phrasal verb
1. to reduce the amount, size, cost etc of something
cut back on
cut something ↔ back
2. cut something ↔ back to remove the top part of a plant in order to help it to grow:
3. to eat, drink, or use less of something, especially in order to improve your health
cut back on
cut down phrasal verb
1. REDUCE to reduce the amount of something
cut something ↔ down
cut down on
2. EAT/USE LESS to eat, drink, or use less of something, especially in order to improve your health:
cut down on
3. TREE cut something ↔ down to cut through the main part of a tree so that it falls on the ground
4. KILL cut somebody ↔ down literary to kill or injure someone, especially in a battle:
5. REDUCE LENGTH cut something ↔ down to reduce the length of something such as a piece of writing:
6. cut somebody down to size to make someone realize that they are not as important, successful etc as they think they are
cut in phrasal verb
1. INTERRUPT to interrupt someone who is speaking by saying something:
cut in on
2. DRIVING to suddenly drive in front of a moving car in a dangerous way
cut in on
3. MACHINE if a part of a machine cuts in, it starts to operate when it is needed:
4. INCLUDE SOMEBODY cut somebody in informal to allow someone to take part in a plan or to make money from it
cut somebody in on
cut somebody/something off phrasal verb
1. SEPARATE cut something ↔ off to separate something by cutting it away from the main part:
cut something off something
2. STOP SUPPLY cut something ↔ off to stop the supply of something such as electricity, gas, water etc:
3. get cut off to suddenly not be able to hear someone that you were speaking to on the telephone:
4. be cut off
a. if a place is cut off, people cannot leave it or reach it:
b. to be a long way from other places and be difficult to get to:
c. if someone is cut off, they are lonely and not able to meet many other people:
5. STOP BEING FRIENDLY cut somebody ↔ off to stop having a friendly relationship with someone:
cut yourself off (from somebody)
6. INTERRUPT to interrupt someone and stop them from finishing what they were saying:
7. PREVENT SOMETHING cut somebody off from something to prevent someone from having something that they need or want:
8. MONEY/PROPERTY to refuse to let someone receive your money or property, especially when you die:
9. DRIVING cut somebody ↔ off American English to suddenly drive in front of a moving car in a dangerous way:
10. cut off your nose to spite your face to do something because you are angry, even though it will harm you
cut out phrasal verb
1. REMOVE SOMETHING cut something ↔ out to remove something by cutting round it:
cut something ↔ out of
2. CUT A SHAPE cut something ↔ out to cut a shape from a piece of paper, cloth etc:
3. STOP SOMETHING HAPPENING cut something ↔ out to stop something from happening or existing:
4. STOP DOING/EATING SOMETHING cut something ↔ out to stop doing or eating something, especially because it might be bad for your health:
5. FROM WRITING cut something ↔ out to remove something from a piece of writing, especially because it might offend people:
6. cut it/that out spoken used to tell someone to stop doing something because it is annoying you:
7. NOT INVOLVE SOMEBODY cut somebody ↔ out to stop someone from doing something or being involved in something:
8. be cut out for something (also be cut out to be something) [usually in questions and negatives] to have the qualities that you need for a particular job or activity:
9. ENGINE if an engine or machine cuts out, it suddenly stops working:
10. LIGHT/VIEW cut something ↔ out to prevent light, sound etc from reaching somewhere:
11. cut somebody out to prevent someone from getting something, especially your money after your death:
⇨ have your work cut out at work2(15), ⇨ cut out the middleman at middleman
cut through something phrasal verb
1. written to move or pass easily through water or air:
2. to quickly and easily deal with something that is confusing or difficult:
3. literary if a sound cuts through silence or noise, it is heard because it is loud:
cut up phrasal verb
1. CUT INTO PIECES cut something ↔ up to cut something into small pieces:
cut something ↔ up into
2. DRIVING cut somebody/something ↔ up British English to suddenly drive in front of a moving vehicle in a dangerous way:
3. BEHAVE BADLY American English informal to behave in a noisy or rude way
4. cut up rough British English informal to react in an angry or violent way:
5. CRITICIZE cut somebody ↔ up informal to criticize someone in an unpleasant way
⇨ cut up
| II |
noun [countable]1. REDUCTION [usually plural] a reduction in the size or amount of something, especially the amount of money that is spent by a government or company: cut in
tax/pay/job etc cuts
cut of
2. SKIN WOUND a wound that is caused when something sharp cuts your skin:
3. HOLE/MARK a narrow hole or mark in the surface of something, made by a sharp tool or object:
4. HAIR [usually singular]
a. an act of cutting someone’s hair
SYN haircut:
b. the style in which your hair is cut
SYN haircut:
5. CLOTHES [usually singular] the style in which clothes have been made:
6. SHARE OF SOMETHING [usually singular] someone’s share of something, especially money
cut of
7. REMOVAL FROM FILM an act of removing a part from a film, play, piece of writing etc, or a part that has been removed
8. FILM [usually singular] the process of putting together the different parts of a film and removing the parts that will not be shown:
9. MUSIC one of the songs or pieces of music on a record, cassette, or CD
10. the cut and thrust of something the exciting but sometimes difficult or unpleasant way that something is done:
11. be a cut above somebody/something to be much better than someone else or something else:
12. MEAT a piece of meat that has been cut to a size suitable for cooking or eating:
13. ROAD American English a road that has been made through a hill
⇨ cold cuts, power cut, short cut
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cut to reduce sth, especially an amount of money that is demanded, spent, earned, etc. or the size of a business 指削减、缩减、裁减（尤指经费、开支、收入或生意规模） ：◆ The President has promised to cut taxes significantly. 总统承诺大幅度减税。 ◆ Buyers will bargain hard to cut the cost of the house they want. 买主会竭力讨价还价以压低他们想买的房子的价格。 ◆ His salary has been cut by ten per cent. 他的薪金减少了百分之十。 ◆ Could you cut your essay from 5 000 to 3 000 words? 请把你的文章从 5 000 字删减至 3 000 字好吗？ slash [ ( (often used in newspapers) to reduce sth by a large amountrather
（常用于报章）指大幅度削减、大大降低 ：◆ The workforce has been slashed by half. 职工人数裁减了一半。 cut sth back/cut back on sth to reduce sth, especially an amount of money or business 指削减、缩减、裁减（尤指经费或生意） ：◆ We had to cut back production. 我们只得减产了。 scale sth back ( to reduce sth, especially an amount of money or businessespecially
NAmE or business 商业 指削减、缩减、裁减（尤指经费或生意） ：◆ The IMF has scaled back its growth forecasts for the next decade. 国际货币基金组织已经调低对未来十年的增长预测。 rationalize ( to make changes to a business or system, in order to make it more efficient, especially by spending less moneyBrE business 商业 指对企业或制度进行合理化改革、使合理化、使有经济效益 downsize ( to make a company or an organization smaller by reducing the number of jobs in it, in order to reduce costsbusiness 商业 指公司或机构精简人员以降低成本 NOTE Downsize is often used by people who want to avoid saying more obvious words like 'dismiss' or 'make redundant' because they sound too negative.人们通常使用 downsize 以避免使用 dismiss 或 make redundant 等词义直白的词，因为这些词听起来过于负面。
Patterns
to cut/slash/cut back on/scale back/rationalize spending/production to cut/slash/cut back on jobs to cut/slash/downsize the workforce to cut/slash/rationalize the cost of sthto cut/slash prices/taxes/the budget to cut sth/slash sth/cut sth back drastically
especially
