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to cut

to cut

2.3
To remove parts or make something shorter, for example text
  • verb
  • /kʌt/
translation icon : recortar (gastos/presupuesto)
  • The crisis that followed cut industrial output by 50 percent within a few years.
  • cut costs
  • cut budgets
  • cut spending

Fine, big deal, you cut expenses, you were safe.

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Examples

  • OK, OK, so are we going to cut our spending?

  • Indeed, the discussion in Washington in 2011 is about what to cut, not what to spend.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The analysis emphasizes the need to cut costs, increase productivity, and increase sales with competitive pricing.

    Academic text (2012)
  • O'Brien estimates that his garbage bill has been cut in half through recycling and vermicomposting.

    Academic text (1999)
  • To save money, the company decided to cut its marketing budget this year.

  • She needs to cut the unnecessary parts from her essay before submission.

  • They plan to cut costs by reducing the number of employees in the department.

Synonyms

to edit
vsto cut
337 1.5

To change text, video or audio to make it better

focuses mainly on removal, not on correction or rearrangement tasks
to slice
vsto cut
203 1.0

To cut something into thin flat pieces with a knife

is more general, including partial removal and non-slicing edits
to sever
vsto cut
100 5.6

To cut something completely away from a larger thing with a knife or tool

also covers partial removal, shortening, or editing without full separation
to trim
vsto cut
95 2.6

Cut something to make it smaller or neater

is broader, covering any removal or reduction not only neat shaping
to cut into
vsto cut
89 2.3

To make something into smaller pieces using a knife or tool

is broader, covering both dividing and partial removal actions
to slash
vsto cut
79 3.7

To reduce something a lot, for example prices or jobs

also covers small or moderate removals, not only drastic cuts
to cut out
vsto cut
77 3.2

To remove a shape from paper or cloth using scissors

is broader, covering removal by many methods and editing contexts
to reduce
vsto cut
71 2.8

To make something simpler by cutting out details

focuses on physical or editorial removal rather than simplification process
to cut down
vsto cut
65 2.7

To make something smaller in amount or number

includes both mild reductions and complete removals across contexts
to clip
vsto cut
51 1.6

To cut hair or plants shorter with scissors

is more general, applying to many cutting or editing actions
to shorten
vsto cut
45 2.3

Make something shorter, for example an article, skirt, or route

is more general, including many types of removal or editing
to chop off
vsto cut
45 3.4

To remove something by cutting, often with a sharp blow

includes careful or partial removals and editorial omissions as well
to cut up
vsto cut
32 1.1

Make something into smaller pieces using scissors or a knife

includes both dividing and simply shortening or removing parts
to shave
vsto cut
25 1.9

Cut very thin slices from things like cheese or wood

covers many removal types, not only shaving off thin layers
to excise
vsto cut
  • Formal
14 7.2

To cut out part of a body or text

can mean partial removal or shortening rather than full excision
to edit out
vsto cut
11 3.2

Remove part of a film, recording, or text before release

is wider, applying to physical, numerical, or editorial removals
to abbreviate
vsto cut
9 3.6

To make something shorter while keeping the important parts

also covers simple deletions or physical removals, not only shortening
to cut away
vsto cut
5 3.4

To remove a part from something with a knife or tool

can also mean reducing size or editing parts rather than full detachment
to trim down
vsto cut
3 3.4

To make something smaller by cutting or removing parts

can mean removal or editing in many contexts beyond gradual reduction
to prune
vsto cut
2 4.2

To remove things you do not need to make something smaller or work better

is a general removal term, not always aimed at improvement
to clip it
vsto cut
1 7.9

To cut out a part of something like a video, or to tell someone to be quiet

is broader, meaning removal or reduction in formal or informal contexts
to trim back
vsto cut
1 3.4

Make a thing smaller by cutting or removing parts

is more general, also meaning simple removal or shortening in any context
to foreshorten
vsto cut
1 7.5

Make something shorter in time or length while keeping its main parts

is broader, including full removals and non-preserving reductions
to abridge
vsto cut
6.7

Make a book, play, or speech shorter by removing parts while keeping the main idea

is more general, applying to any removal, editing, or shortening

Antonyms

1.0

Include something extra to make something larger or better

805 2.5

To grow larger in size, amount, or importance

Idioms

to cut a rug
  • Archaic
6 8.4

To dance with a lot of energy and have fun

6 5.2

Very similar in character and background

to cut the cord
  • Informal
5 6.6

To stop depending on someone or something and become independent

Buy or sell directly from the maker without using other sellers

4 4.3

Clearly better than others in quality or style

Remove slow official rules to make things happen faster

2 7.4

To beat someone completely in a competition or argument

To remove official rules and extra paperwork that delay action

1 8.8

Choose to act now or step aside so someone else can

1 9.9

The way someone looks or acts that shows what they are like

Deliberately do something that hurts you more than the person you want to punish

1 7.7

Have a strong effect on many people or things

to cut to the quick
  • Literature
1 7.9

To hurt someone's feelings very deeply

1 7.7

To become independent from your parents and live on your own

1 9.6

To pass gas from your bottom, usually said as a joke

1 6.8

To become independent from parents and make your own decisions

to cut a dash
  • Informal
7.2

To attract attention by looking smart and stylish

to cut a figure
  • Informal
7.6

To stand out and make people notice you

To criticize someone who stands out to make them seem less successful

To spend only what you can afford

To gain first experience in a job or activity

To leave a place quickly, often to avoid trouble

Start talking about the most important details of a topic

To live within the money you have

8.4

To betray or hurt someone to get an advantage

mad as a cut snake
  • Australian
9.9

Feeling extremely angry and acting wildly

To check something carefully before you do it to avoid mistakes

Phrasal Verbs

620 3.8

To stop something suddenly before it is finished

to cut it
  • Informal
216 7.2

Stop doing something annoying when someone tells you

to cut off
  • NSFW
190 4.1

To remove something by cutting it away from what it is attached to

169 2.9

To reduce how much you buy and use to save money and be healthier

to cut a deal
  • Informal
94 3.5

Make an agreement after talking, often in business or politics

89 2.3

To make something into smaller pieces using a knife or tool

to cut to
  • Jargon
88 5.1

Move suddenly from one scene to another in a film or TV show

80 1.0

Make a person's hair shorter using scissors or clippers

77 3.2

To remove a shape from paper or cloth using scissors

Use less of something to save money or be healthier

67 3.5

Stop something earlier than planned

65 2.7

To make something smaller in amount or number

62 4.1

Cause serious harm to people or things with a sharp object

To go straight across a place, for example through land or a crowd

49 1.9

To make a tree or plant fall by cutting it at the base

45 4.1

To stop working suddenly

to cut out
  • Jargon
44 4.6

To move suddenly in front of someone to block their way

32 1.1

Make something into smaller pieces using scissors or a knife

To be chosen to join a team after a test or tryout

30 3.0

To spend less money to save or make more money

to cut corners
  • Informal
23 3.8

To do something quickly or cheaply by skipping important steps so the result is lower quality

to cut in
  • Informal
19 4.7

Give someone a share of future profits

to cut loose
  • Informal
18 4.4

To have fun and act without control, or to remove someone from their job

12 3.6

To make a person or thing fall to the ground, often by force

12 4.6

Move suddenly in front of another vehicle leaving little space

To make the grass in a garden short using a lawnmower

To go through a place like a park to make a shorter route

8 3.8

Move ahead of people in a line without waiting for your turn

Break something into many small parts or hurt someone very badly

to cut down
  • Jargon
7 3.4

To stop another player in a game, often by tackling them

To move suddenly and rudely in front of someone while waiting or driving

6 3.5

Interrupt someone who is speaking or doing something

to cut it close
  • Informal
6 5.0

To leave very little time before something happens and risk being late

to cut back
  • Jargon
5 5.5

To return to an earlier scene in a film or TV show to show past events

5 3.4

To remove a part from something with a knife or tool

4 6.9

Step between two people who are dancing to take one partner

To go beyond usual boundaries like age or department

4 3.9

To trim stems or branches so a plant grows better

3 6.7

To make someone less proud by showing they are not as good as they think

to cut in
  • Specialized
3 4.8

Mix fat into flour with a cutting motion until crumbly

to cut away
  • Jargon
3 6.8

To switch quickly to another scene or camera angle during filming

3 4.5

To loosen and move soil with a tool like a spade

to clear-cut
  • Specialized
2 6.1

To cut down all the trees in an area at once

To make a message clear so people notice it despite distractions

1 7.7

To slowly take away someone's confidence or joy

To stop eating or drinking foods with added sugar

to cut slack
  • Informal
1 5.5

Treat someone less strictly because they are having trouble

7.2

To move around a place with no clear purpose

to cut bait
  • Informal
8.8

Stop wasting time and either act now or give up a plan that does not work

to cut at a bevel
  • Specialized
6.3

To cut the edge of wood or metal at an angle to make it slanted

to cut others down
  • Offensive
7.0

To say things that make other people feel small

to cut up rough
  • Informal
9.8

Act in a violent or aggressive way and cause trouble

to cut slingload
  • Specialized
9.9

To drop a load hanging under a helicopter for safety

8.3

To cause large damage or change across a wide area quickly

5.7

Remove people or things that are unnecessary and slow progress

Ignore pointless talk and focus on the real problem

Make speech or writing clearer by removing complicated management language

Compounds

599 3.2

A government decision to reduce the taxes people have to pay

79 3.3

A decision by a government or organization to use less money

57 2.8

Less money given to a department or service in a budget

31 2.8

A reduction in the money a worker receives from their job

27 4.2

Easy to see and understand

25 3.4

A shape removed from paper or cloth with scissors

23 4.4

Separated by cutting from a larger thing

13 3.8

Having a neat, smart look and tidy clothes

low-cut
  • NSFW
10 3.5

Clothes with a low neckline or back that show more skin

final cut
  • Specialized
9 4.2

A finished and approved version of a film ready for release

Simple and clear because it follows fixed rules

7 3.0

A very short men's hairstyle with the hair kept very close to the head

6 2.7

A piece of meat taken from a certain part of an animal

rough cut
  • Specialized
5 4.8

An early edited version of a film before final changes

cut-up
  • Archaic
3 7.8

A person who acts silly to make others laugh

3 2.7

A plant or food cut very recently so it still looks and smells new

3 1.4

A fall in the amount you pay for something

2 3.4

A smaller amount of pay that a worker receives

2 5.3

A type of glass shaped with many flat, shiny sides for decoration

1 2.8

A piece of beef from one part of a cow used for cooking

1 4.1

Clear and simple, not likely to change

1 4.9

A short route through a neighborhood that saves time by avoiding busy roads

jump cut
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A sudden change between two film shots that makes action or time seem to skip

1 4.2

A short haircut with hair standing upright like a brush

1 2.5

A piece of meat from a pig sold for cooking, like loin or shoulder

1 3.3

A price lower than the usual one

cut-in
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A short shot shown in a scene to give a detail or reaction

cut-in
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A short announcement that interrupts a program to give local news or alerts

1 3.7

Offered at a lower price than usual, often with lower quality

deep cut
  • Jargon
1 8.4

A song on an album that is not a hit but loved by fans

1 2.7

A piece of meat that shops sell soon after they prepare it

A piece of meat from a lamb that you cook

A piece of meat from an adult sheep that people cook and eat

A piece of meat from a young calf for eating

2.0

A lower price than normal

cut-and-thrust
  • Specialized
9.7

A fight with swords or knives using cutting and stabbing moves

3.0

Sold at a lower price than usual

2.7

An event when shops sell goods at much lower prices for a short time to clear old stock

A piece of meat with a lot of fat

jump-cut
  • Specialized
7.6

A sudden cut between shots in a film that shows time passing or makes the action jump

rough-cut
  • Specialized
4.9

Shaped but not smoothed or fully finished

sword-cut
  • Archaic
8.1

A scar on the skin made by a sword

9.9

A low opening in clothing that shows the lower part of the breasts

3.7

Clothing made wider than usual to fit loosely

How Reduced

to eliminate
  • NSFW
502 3.4
to slash
79 3.7
to cut
2.3
to shorten
45 2.3
to trim
95 2.6

Surface Forms

cut infinitive
cutting present participle
cuts third person singular
cut past
cut past participle

Etymology

Cut (to remove or reduce) can be remembered by thinking of cutting a cake into smaller pieces; you take away parts to make something shorter or smaller.