to cut swathe

8.3

To cause large damage or change across a wide area quickly

phrasal verb
/kʌt swɑːð/

: destruir

The storm cut a wide swathe through the forest.

Examples

The hurricane cut swathes through the coastal village, leaving only ruins behind.
The developer cut a swathe through the old neighborhood to make way for new apartments.
Budget cuts are expected to cut swathes from social programs this year.
They cut a swathe of destruction across the town.
The hurricane cut swathes through the coastal village, leaving only ruins behind.
The developer cut a swathe through the old neighborhood to make way for new apartments.
Budget cuts are expected to cut swathes from social programs this year.

Synonyms

to slice through

vsto cut swathe

10 4.1

Cut or move quickly and smoothly through air and water

describes a forceful large scale effect rather than a smooth single cut

to cut a wide swath

vsto cut swathe

Informal

1 7.7

Have a strong effect on many people or things

emphasizes forceful removal or damage across a large area

to mow a swath

vsto cut swathe

7.9

To cut a path through tall grass and plants with a scythe or mower

focuses on making a broad impact by removing or destroying many things quickly

Antonyms

to preserve

496 3.4

To keep people and things safe from harm or change

safeguard

61 4.0

A way to protect someone or something from harm

How Widespread

to obliterate

71 7.5

to devastate

221 4.9

to decimate

58 7.5

to cut swathe

8.3

to impact

255 3.4

to affect

∞ 3.0

to make a dent

14 4.0

Surface Forms

cut swathe infinitive

Morphology

cut + swathe

If the learner knows 'swathe' as a broad strip or area, combining it with 'cut' yields the literal image of cutting a wide strip through something, so the extended meaning of affecting or removing a large area is directly derivable. Although 'swathe' is a less frequent word and the expression is often used metaphorically, the composition is predictable and follows a common cross-linguistic image, making it transparent to someone who knows both constituents.

Etymology

The phrase cut swathe comes from farming: to cut a swathe meant to cut a wide strip across a field with a long blade, leaving a clear path. That's why it now means 'to make a big impact by removing or damaging a large area or many things'.