cut down
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++cut down → cut down at cut1(PHRASAL VERB)
cut down
cut down phrasal verb (see also cut)
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 down phrasal verb (see also cut)
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