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Glite Dictionary
✂️ To remove 🛑 To stop working 🚧 To block 🧩 Removed shape
to cut out

to cut out

44 4.6
To move suddenly in front of someone to block their way
  • phrasal verb
  • /kʌt aʊt/
  • Jargon
translation icon : cortar
  • The defense player managed to cut out the opposing team from scoring by blocking the shot.

Examples

  • I just don't think you're cut out for this.

    My Spy (2020)

  • He always wanted to be a cop, but he simply wasn't cut out for it.

    Loose Cannons (1990)

  • The teachers will have their work cut out for them.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Maybe I'm not cut out for doing this level of work, right?

  • Recently, Sheila had been wondering if she was really cut out for this job.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • Sometimes I think I'm just not cut out to be a worker.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Not everyone's cut out to be a soldier.

    Gosford Park (2001)

  • As you can see, contemporary home cooks have their work cut out for them here.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Why, it's obvious she's not cut out for this sort of thing.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • Colonel Sutch, you were never cut out for this profession.

    Fiction book (2002)

Synonyms

to cut off
vsto cut out
620 3.8

To stop something suddenly before it is finished

interrupts continuation specifically by moving ahead or intercepting
to obstruct
vsto cut out
119 5.1

To block a path or view

does the same but often by moving ahead or intercepting directly
to block off
vsto cut out
23 3.8

Close a road, path or entrance so people cannot go through

achieves prevention by stepping into a path rather than sealing an area
to block out
vsto cut out
14 3.0

To stop light, sound, or air from coming in

stops continuation by moving in front not by blocking senses or airflow
to cut in
vsto cut out
12 4.6

Move suddenly in front of another vehicle leaving little space

stops or interrupts by moving ahead especially in traffic situations
to cut down
vsto cut out
  • Jargon
7 3.4

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

prevents continuation often by moving ahead or intercepting
to cut in front of
vsto cut out
7 4.0

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

blocks or intercepts by positioning oneself in front of another
to choke off
vsto cut out
6 6.4

To stop a supply by blocking its source or flow

prevents continuation by physically intercepting rather than blocking the source
to box out
vsto cut out
  • Informal
1 6.7

Stop someone from getting a better position, often by using your body in sport

stops others by moving ahead or blocking their path
to stop up
vsto cut out
1 4.6

Block a hole, pipe, or crack so nothing can pass through

prevents continuation by moving into the path rather than filling it

Antonyms

to allow
∞ 1.0

To let something happen or let someone do something

to facilitate
  • Formal
187 4.9

To make a task or process easier and help it happen

How Blocked

to stop
∞ 1.0
to cut out
  • Jargon
44 4.6
to block
∞ 3.0
to interrupt
909 2.5

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

cut + out

The adjective 'cut out' is directly and transparently composed from 'cut' (to remove by cutting) + 'out' (indicating removal/separation), so it denotes something removed or formed by cutting from a larger surface. This compositional pattern (e.g., 'cut-out design') is common in English and cross-linguistically intuitive, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Cut out meaning to block or move in front likely comes from the picture of someone cutting across and appearing out in front of you, breaking the line. So the phrase means 'to force someone to slow down or be blocked'.