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Glite Dictionary
service cutback

service cutback

1 5.7
A cut to public services that makes them smaller or less frequent, for example fewer buses
  • noun
translation icon : reducción de servicios
  • Residents are concerned about the service cutback impacting emergency response times in their neighborhood.

Examples

  • Widespread teacher layoffs and public service cutbacks attest to the immediate impact, and there's no end in sight without reforms.

    Blog text (6)

  • Due to budget constraints, the city announced a service cutback that will reduce public transportation schedules.

  • The recent service cutback at the local library means fewer hours for patrons to access resources.

Synonyms

cutback
vsservice cutback
52 3.7

A smaller amount of money or resources that an organization uses to lower costs

focuses on cuts by organizations that lower provision amount frequency or extent
cutdown
vsservice cutback
2 4.0

A drop in the number or amount of something

reduces provision by organizations cutting amount frequency or extent

Antonyms

expansion
241 3.3

An increase in size, amount, or range

How Severe

suspension
70 4.3
service cutback
1 5.7
decrease
84 2.2

Surface Forms

service cutback singular
service cutbacks plural

Morphology

service + cutback

The phrase 'service cutback' is directly interpretable as a 'cutback' (reduction) that concerns 'service'; both constituent meanings combine straightforwardly to yield the MWE meaning. This modifier-head composition is a common, productive pattern in English (and parallels exist in many other languages), so a B1 learner who knows 'service' and 'cutback' would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Service cutback links service with cutback. Think of pruning a plant: when you cut back branches you make the plant smaller, so a service cutback means an organization 'reduces' the amount or frequency of a service.