to cut off
620
3.8
- phrasal verb
- /kʌt ɔf/
:
cortar
- Within days, John is cut off and under siege.
- cut off supplies
- cut off funding
- cut off support
Well, it's time to cut off some things and not add on.
- Well, it's time to cut off some things and not add on.
- And then, you know, lean forward to cut off his his air supply.
- Secondly, you're always going to be cut off from the fresh air.
- So now I'm OK with Xbox cutting off the support for Kinect.
- And when you cut it off, democracy Withers and dies.
- And I don't mean cut them off like you don't know them.
- And when you do that, you're cut off from the book of nature.
- France Joseph was now cut off from German politics.
- So that's one thing I've learned is cut off some access.
- For instance, with transit priority, we will not cut off a pedestrian phase.
- But you would cut off, though, because you broke down.
Examples
-
Tina's whistling receded and was cut off by the quiet closing of the door.
Fiction book (1991) -
My parents cut me off.
-
You really are cut off from the world.
-
Our bank just cut off our credit.
-
Both electricity and the phone service were to be cut off after the New Year.
Fiction book (1991) -
Case: Sixty of the 100 senators present voted to cut off the debate on an environmental issue.
Academic text (1990) -
Herb's voice was abruptly cut off as the door opened and closed behind them.
Fiction book (1990) -
Surrounded by raging waters, Tucson became an island cut off from the rest of the world.
Academic text (1990) -
During the snowstorm, many people were cut off from the rest of the city due to fallen trees blocking the roads.
-
She decided to cut off all communication with negative people in her life for her own mental well-being.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
To stop an activity or end a habit
909
2.5
To stop someone speaking or an activity
346
1.0
Stop for a short time before continuing
269
4.4
To interrupt normal activity and cause disorder
147
4.6
To make something stop or finish
131
3.0
To make something stop completely
104
4.1
Stop doing something for a short time, for example at a point in a book
93
5.6
To stop a plan or activity before it finishes, often because of problems
91
2.8
To cancel a planned event or activity
87
5.5
To stop something from going on by removing support like money
83
2.6
Stop something from working by using a switch or valve
67
3.5
Stop something earlier than planned
62
3.0
To end something so it no longer happens
58
4.2
To stop something that is happening or being given
50
3.2
To stop something suddenly before it is finished, for example a talk or relationship
44
4.6
To move suddenly in front of someone to block their way
24
3.9
Stop people or vehicles from entering a place
13
3.4
Stop moving or working completely
11
3.3
Interrupt an activity so it stops for a short time
11
4.3
To slow down an activity or stop it
6
3.5
Interrupt someone who is speaking or doing something
6
6.4
To stop a supply by blocking its source or flow
4
7.4
Stop doing something, often when it is annoying
3
5.2
Freeze and stay completely still because of surprise or fear
1
3.6
End something completely so it does not continue
To stop something before it finishes
Antonyms
How Interrupted
Surface Forms
Morphology
The sense 'to stop, interrupt, or block suddenly' can be partially inferred from 'cut' (to sever/remove) plus 'off' (indicating removal or cessation), so a learner who knows both words will likely grasp the general idea of severing continuity. However, the phrasal-verb senses are somewhat metaphorical and vary by context (interrupting speech, cutting a supply, being disconnected), so the exact interpretation and range of uses typically require prior exposure.
Etymology
Cut off The verb cut off also creates the image of someone cutting a wire or pulling a plug so the sound or power stops suddenly, like a microphone going silent mid-speech. So, it means 'to stop or interrupt something suddenly'.