cut1 verbcut2 noun
cutcut1 /kʌt/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense and past participle cut, present participle cutting) 
WORD ORIGINcut1
Origin:
1200-1300 From an unrecorded Old English cytanVERB TABLE
cut
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | cut |
| he, she, it | cuts | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | cut |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have cut |
| he, she, it | has cut | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had cut |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will cut |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have cut |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am cutting |
| he, she, it | is cutting | |
| you, we, they | are cutting | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was cutting |
| you, we, they | were cutting | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been cutting |
| he, she, it | has been cutting | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been cutting |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be cutting |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been cutting |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Cut the fish into four pieces and serve hot or warm.
- A couple of the scenes had to be cut because they were too violent.
- Because of the recession, salaries in the advertising industry have been cut by a half.
- Beresford cut the scenes of cannibalism.
- Beth's at the salon having her hair cut.
- Even after it had been cut, the film was still over three hours long.
- First cut the paper into a triangle.
- He cut the string and carefully unwrapped the parcel.
- His annual leave has been cut from six weeks to just three.
- I had to cut huge chunks out to get this essay to the right length.
- I wish you wouldn't cut your fingernails in the living room.
- If you cut too many jobs, you overload the remaining employees.
- It's so difficult to cut even a couple of scenes from a play without losing some of the story.
- Kids cut class and ran down the street to watch the fire.
- Mandy cut the paper in half and gave a piece to each child.
- My dad used to cut the grass every Sunday morning.
- My sister usually cuts my hair.
- One of the children had cut her foot on some glass.
- Phil cut himself shaving this morning.
- Rescue workers had to use special equipment to cut open the steel doors.
- Firms cut back further on orders.
- Iron and steel were hard and unyielding, yet here in the machine shop, you cut them like butter.
- It cut Romney Marsh off from the mainland.
- Mr Bates, prospective Conservative candidate for Langbaurgh, claimed the fire service training budget had been drastically cut.
- Tax bases were broadened; marginal rates were cut.
- This cuts out the currency board as middleman, and has a similar economic effect.
- Trim the fennel, cut into quarters and core.
- With a serrated knife, cut corn kernels off cob; set aside.
THESAURUS
to divide something into two or more pieces, especially using a knife or scissors: · Do you want me to cut the cake?· He cut off the lower branches.
to quickly cut something, especially using scissors: · I snipped the label off.· The hairdresser snipped away at her hair.
to make a long narrow cut through something, especially using a knife: · He slit the envelope open with a penknife.· She slit through the plastic covering.
to cut something quickly and violently with a knife, making a long thin cut: · Someone had slashed the tyres on his car.· He tried to slash his wrists.
to cut wood, using a saw (=a tool with a row of sharp points): · Saw the wood to the correct length.
to cut wood, vegetables, or meat into pieces: · Bill was outside chopping up firewood with an axe.· They chopped down the old tree.· finely chopped onion
to cut bread, meat, or vegetables into thin pieces: · I’ll slice the cucumber.· Slice the bread thinly.
to cut vegetables or meat into small square pieces: · First dice the apple into cubes.
to cut cheese or a hard vegetable by rubbing it against a special tool: · Grate the cheese and sprinkle it over the vegetables.
to cut the outside part off something such as a potato or apple: · I peeled the potatoes and put them in a saucepan.
to cut thin pieces from a large piece of meat: · Uncle Ray carved the turkey.
to cut the grass in a garden, park etc: · A gardener was mowing the lawn.
(also clip) to cut a small amount off something, especially to make it look neater: · He was trimming his beard.· Trim the excess fat off the meat.
Longman Language Activatorwith scissors, a knife, or a sharp object to divide something into two or more pieces, using a knife or scissors: · He cut the string and carefully unwrapped the parcel.cut something in two/cut something in half: · Mandy cut the paper in half and gave a piece to each child.cut something up/cut up something (=into several pieces): · Tommy sat on the floor, cutting up old magazines.cut something open/cut open something: · Rescue workers had to use special equipment to cut open the steel doors.
to cut something with scissors using quick small cuts: · She snipped the thread which held the two pieces of cloth together .
to make a long narrow cut through something, especially skin or cloth: · He killed the goat by slitting its throat.slit something open/slit open something: · Diane slit the envelope open with a knife.slit your wrists: · Graham slit his wrists in a suicide attempt.
to cut something quickly and violently with a knife, because you want to damage it or cause an injury : · The painting had been slashed with a knife.· Someone had slashed the tyres on Bayle's car.slash your wrists: · She slashed her wrists with a razor blade.
to push a knife into someone's body in order to kill or seriously injure them: · Betty Carroll was stabbed 61 times and left to die on the floor of her Escondido home.stab somebody in the heart/arm etc: · Luca stabbed her in the thigh with a breadknife.stab somebody to death (=kill someone by attacking them a knife): · Kitty Davison was found stabbed to death one night in 1997.
to cut something very roughly or violently: hack at something: · He picked up an axe and began hacking at the door.hack somebody to death: · All of the victims had been hacked to death.hack somebody/something to pieces: · The two women were hacked to pieces by their attackers.
to cut food · Do you want me to cut the cake?cut something into pieces/chunks · Cut the fish into four pieces and serve hot or warm.
to cut something such as vegetables or meat into small pieces when you are preparing a meal: · Chop two onions for the stew.· Elsa was in the kitchen chopping up vegetables.chop something into pieces/chunks/cubes: · Could you chop the eggplant into cubes for me?
to cut food such as bread, meat, or vegetables into thin flat pieces: · Wash and slice the mushrooms.
to cut a large piece of cooked meat into pieces: · You start carving while I fetch the vegetables.· Who's going to carve the turkey?
British /grind American to cut raw meat into very small pieces, usually in a machine: · Mince the meat and mix in the remaining ingredients.
to cut cheese or vegetables into small thin pieces by rubbing them against a metal surface with holes in it: · I always like to grate some cheese over the potatoes before serving them.
to cut food, especially vegetables with leaves, into long thin pieces: · Remove the outside leaves and shred the cabbage finely.
to cut food, especially raw vegetables, into small square pieces: · Dice the potatoes and cook them in salted water.
to cut part of your body, especially accidentally · She cut her hand trying to open a can of sardines.cut something on something · One of the children had cut her foot on some glass.cut yourself shaving · Phil cut himself shaving this morning.
to cut part of your body very slightly leaving a long very thin cut: · The cat scratched me while I was playing with her.· She found her friend, Felicia Moon, bruised and scratched after a fight with her husband.
to slightly break the surface of your skin by rubbing against something, for example when you fall on the ground: · Oliver fell down on the path and grazed his knee.· I wasn't really hurt - I scraped my elbows a bit, that's all.
a large, deep cut in someone's skin: · The accident left her with an ugly gash above the left eye.
to accidentally make a small cut in the surface of your skin: · I must have nicked myself when I was shaving this morning.
when a doctor or scientist makes a cut in someone's body to cut into someone's body, using a special knife, during a medical operation: · The surgeon began by making an incision about six inches long.
to cut a dead animal or person into pieces in order to study it: · The specimens were carefully dissected and examined under a microscope.
to cut someone's hair, beard, or fingernails · My sister usually cuts my hair.· I wish you wouldn't cut your fingernails in the living room.have your hair cut (=pay someone to cut it for you) · Beth's at the salon having her hair cut.
when someone cuts your hair: · Isn't it about time you had a haircut?
to cut the hair on your face or body so that your skin feels smooth: · Have you shaved today?· I didn't have time to shave my legs.shave off something/shave something off: · I wish he'd shave off that awful beard!
to cut a small amount off someone's hair or beard, so that it looks neater: · Could you just trim my hair at the back?
to cut wood, plants, or grass to make trees or bushes fall down by cutting them: cut/chop something down: · The tree was blocking the view from our window, and we asked a neighbour to chop it down.cut/chop down something: · Cutting down vast areas of the rainforests has created serious ecological problems.
to cut down trees, especially a large number of them, using special equipment: · 63 percent of trees felled in Guatemala are used for fuel.· More trees are being felled annually now than ever before.
to cut wood into pieces using an axe (=a tool with a long handle and a sharp blade): · Ivan spent the day chopping wood and sawing logs.chop something up/chop up something: · I chopped up the old fence and used it for firewood.
to cut grass or cut off leaves, in order to make a place or plant look tidy: · She had to stand on a ladder to cut the top of the hedge.cut the lawn/grass: · My dad used to cut the grass every Sunday morning.
to cut grass using a special machine, in order to make it look tidy: mow the lawn/the grass: · It took me two hours to mow the lawn.
to cut wood using a saw (=sharp tool that you push backwards and forwards across the surface of the wood): · We had to saw the wood to the right length, and then nail the pieces together.saw something up/saw up something (=into several pieces): · It took all morning to saw up the logs.
to cut off some of the branches of a tree or bush to make it grow better: · Miniature roses do not need much pruning and are ideal for planting in pots. · What's the best time of the year for pruning apple trees?
to cut small amounts off something, especially a bush, in order to make it have a neat shape or surface: · Do you think the hedge needs trimming?
to cut trees, plants etc by hitting them with a heavy knife or other sharp tool using short violent movements: hack at: · Robert was hacking at the base of the tree with an axe.hack your way through/hack a path through (=make a path by cutting down plants and trees): · They managed to hack their way through the jungle.
to remove something by cutting to cut part of something away from the rest of it: cut off something: · Cut off the stalks of the broccoli.cut something off: · She took the cheese and cut a big piece off.
to cut something off by hitting it hard or cutting it with a sharp tool: chop off something: · Chop off the tops of the carrots.chop something off: · Careful you don't chop your fingers off!
to quickly remove something using scissors: snip something off/snip off something: · Snip the ends of the beans off before you cook them.· After the plant finishes blooming, snip off the dead flowers.
to cut a part of something off, especially a branch of a tree: lop off something/lop something off: · Workmen have lopped off some of the branches in an effort to save the tree.
to cut off someone's arm, leg, or foot as a medical operation: · He damaged his leg so badly that it had to be amputated.
to cut off a part of someone's body in an accident or an attack: · The victim's head had been severed in the accident.
to remove someone's eyes with a pointed weapon or object: gouge somebody's eyes out/gouge out somebody's eyes: · McLaren accused Roberts of trying to gouge his eyes out during the fight.
to make a shape by cutting: cut something into a square/circle etc · First cut the paper into a triangle.cut out something/cut something out · Stella stood at the kitchen table, cutting out the pattern for a new dress.· The children drew Christmas trees on their pieces of paper and cut them out carefully.
to cut shapes out of solid wood or stone: · Michelangelo carved this figure from a single block of marble.
to cut a piece of wood into a particular shape by cutting off small pieces with a small knife : · He took out his penknife and began whittling a piece of wood.
someone who officially tries to prove that someone is guilty from one side of something to the other: · The children ran across the road.· I've always wanted to sail across the Atlantic.· We gazed across the valley.· The traffic was heavy so it took a long time to get across.across to: · He walked across to the window.
going from one side of something to the other, especially by flying, jumping, climbing, or using a bridge: · A cat jumped over the fence.· the road over the mountains· one of the bridges over the Rhine
from one side or end of something to the other -- use this about going through a town, a forest, or a crowd, or looking through a hole, window etc: · I pushed my way through the crowd.· walking through the forest· We drove through Baltimore on our way to Washington.· I could see her through the window.· The trip through the tunnel takes about 40 minutes.· We found a gap in the fence and climbed through.
: transatlantic/transcontinental/trans-European etc going a long distance across a large area of land or water: · transatlantic flights· the first transcontinental railroad
to go from one side of something to the other, for example to cross a river or road, or to cross a field or room: · Antonia went to cross the street to buy us some sodas.· He plans to cross the Himalayas on foot.· How are we going to cross the river?· Before you cross, make sure there are no other cars coming.
to go straight across something such as a field or road to save time, instead of going around it or by a longer way: · Farmers have begun putting up fences to prevent visitors from cutting across their land.· They moved south along the edge of a field, then cut across Highway 18.
to go across an area such as a garden, a wood, or a group of buildings, instead of going around it on a path or road, because it is quicker: · Instead of taking the main road I cut through the churchyard and jumped over the wall at the bottom.· Her house wasn't far, if he cut through the woods.
a journey across an area of water or group of mountains: · The Atlantic crossing took nearly three months.· His party made the first east-west crossing of the Sierra Nevada in 1833.
to stop working if something goes wrong with a machine, it stops working normally - use this especially about complicated equipment, when you do not know what the problem is: · Who'll fix my computer if something goes wrong?something goes wrong with: · Occasionally something went wrong with the projector and the movie was canceled.· Something's gone wrong with my washing machine.
if a car, bus, train, or large machine breaks down , it stops working completely: · She was late for the meeting because her car broke down.· The elevators in this building are always breaking down.
if a computer crashes , it suddenly stops working, and information is often lost because of this: · I installed the new program and my computer crashed.· Hundreds of hospital records were wiped out when the network crashed.
if an engine cuts out , it suddenly stops working: · Every time Mark slowed down the engine cut out.· I started to go up the hill and the engine just cut out on me.
especially written if a part of a machine or of a piece of electrical equipment fails , it stops working: · The driver of the car claims that his brakes failed and he was unable to stop.· In the last ten minutes of the game, one of the television cameras failed.· One of the engines failed at 30,000 feet.
formal to stop working properly: · This is a sign that the computer's hard disk is malfunctioning.· Both satellites entered orbit but quickly malfunctioned.
British informal if a machine packs up , it stops working, especially because it is old: · When this record player packs up, I'll buy a CD player.· They won't know what to do if a pipe bursts or if the heater packs up.
to reduce the price of something to make prices, charges etc lower: · There is a lot of pressure on electricity companies to reduce their prices.· The company needs to cut costs drastically if it's going to survive.· Unless they can reduce their prices, they will soon be unable to compete on the American market.reduce something by 10%/£20 etc: · Continental Airlines are to reduce fares by up to 10% in some areas.
informal to reduce the price of something that you are selling: · I expect if you ask him he'll knock a couple of pounds off.· Knock fifty bucks off and I'll buy it.
to be reduced in price -- use this about goods in shops: · Their prices are usually marked down after Christmas.· To celebrate the store's 100th anniversary, all merchandise has been marked down by 20 percent.
to reduce the price of something by a very large amount - used especially in news reports and advertisements: · Sony has slashed the price of its new CD player, the D50.· Final Sale. All prices slashed. Everything must go!slash something by 50%/£50/$100 etc: · British Airways have slashed fares by over 50%.
things you do with a computer to put information into a computer by pressing the keys: · When you have entered your credit card information, go to the next screen.
to make a file, program etc that is exactly the same as another one: · Copy the files into a new folder.
to make a computer keep the work that you have done in its memory or on a disk: · Save your work and close down any applications that are open.
to remove a piece of information from a computer's memory: · Delete any files that end in ".tmp".
to use the mouse to choose words or pictures on a computer screen, usually making them change colour: · To create parallel columns, press Alt-F7 and select option 4.
to move up or down through a document on a computer: scroll up/down: · Scroll down to see when the website was last updated.
also do a search to look for information on a computer or on the Internet: search for: · I did a search for any articles by Varenqe on the web, and I found quite a few.search by: · To find a book on our site, you can search by author, title, or subject.search something for something: · You can search the document for particular words or phrases, in order to get directly to the information you need.
to make a document or computer program ready to use: · Open the file called Templates.
to do the things you have to do when you want to stop using a document or a computer program: · Close all applications before shutting down your computer.
to press a button on a mouse in order to choose something on the screen and make the computer perform a particular action: · Click on 'next' when you have finished filling out the form.
to remove a piece of information from one place in a computer program or document and put it in a different place instead: · It's easier if you just cut and paste the information from one page to another.
to mark words in a computer document in a different colour so that you can see them easily or to separate it from the rest of the document: · To delete a block of text, highlight it and then press Del.
to move something on a computer screen by pulling it along with the mouse: · You can delete the files by dragging them into your "trash" folder.
to secretly and often illegally find a way to reach the information on someone else's computer system so that you can use, change, or damage it: · A criminal gang hacked into a credit card company's most secure files.
to deliberately not go to school, work etc British informal to deliberately not go to school, work etc, when you should be there: · He says that he was so ill he had to be sent home from school. I bet he's skiving.· Have you been skiving off again? You'll get caught one of these days.· We were bunking off one day, and playing down by the canal.
British /play hooky American if a child plays truant or plays hooky from school, they deliberately stay away from school without their parent's permission: · Billy was caught playing truant and has been given extra homework for a month.· He'd played hooky again and ridden the train out to Brooklyn.
especially American, informal if a student cuts classes, school etc, they deliberately do not go to the classes that they should go to: · Kids cut class and ran down the street to watch the fire.
to harm yourself by your own actions: only harm yourself · They'll only harm themselves if they decide to leave the association.· By making the complaint the only person he harmed was himself.
to behave in a way that is certain to cause you harm, especially because of pride or anger: · It would be silly to give up your job now -- you'd just be cutting your own throat.
to continuously behave in a stupid way that results in you being harmed: · My mother was her own worst enemy. She knew she was ill but she did nothing to help herself.· Many drivers are their own worst enemy -- driving too close, driving too fast, all the usual faults.
to stupidly do something that seriously harms you, especially by saying something stupid or making plans that go badly wrong: · Once again, the government has shot itself in the foot -- this time by reducing widows' pensions.
to deliberately not do something that would make an unpleasant situation better for you, because you are too angry or proud to do it: · If you love him, ask him to stay. Otherwise you'll be cutting off your nose to spite your face.
to rudely pretend not to notice someone · Don't ignore me when I'm talking to you!· Now that she had lost all her wealth, she was ignored by former friends.totally/completely ignore somebody · The waiter totally ignored Glen and served a girl who had come up beside him.
· Henry waved but Martha pretended not to notice.· If people think you're a beggar, they pretend not to see you.
to pretend not to notice someone that you know, even though you are looking directly at them: · I saw Carrie yesterday, but when I smiled at her she just looked right through me.· In the lift at work, the doctors looked right through you as if you didn't exist.
to ignore someone deliberately, in order to show that you are angry with them or that you have no respect for them: · I couldn't believe Simon had snubbed me at the party.· The senator was furious. "How would you feel if you'd been snubbed by the wife of your president?''snub somebody's invitation/request etc: · They snubbed his invitation to a meeting of foreign ministers at the UN in New York.
to completely ignore someone when you see them, especially because you are angry with them: · I saw Josie today - she must still be angry with me because she cut me dead.· Where he used to cut them dead, he now helps them on with their coats.
informal if someone blanks you, they pretend not to notice you even though your eyes are facing theirs: · I said hello to her in the street, but she just blanked me and carried on walking.
British if a group of people send someone to Coventry , they all agree they will not talk to that person as a punishment: · Unfairly sent to Coventry for two weeks, Hannah decided to run away from school.
to stop someone when they are speaking to start speaking when someone else is already speaking: · I wish you wouldn't interrupt all the time.· I'm sorry I interrupted you.· He apologised for interrupting her speech.
spoken to interrupt someone rudely: · Will you please stop butting in!· Mom, Joe keeps butting in and he won't let me finish my story.
written to interrupt someone before they have finished talking, so that you can say something: · "There's this nice guy . . .' "I'm not interested,'' Roz cut in, laughing.· Lila cut in again, answering before he could even open his mouth.
to interrupt someone before they have finished what they were going to say: · Her elder brother cut her off sharply -- 'I won't have you speaking to your mother like that!'· I'm sorry to cut you short, Mrs Shaw, but I'm afraid we've run out of time.
to join a conversation by interrupting someone or by saying something suddenly: · "Sam, what on earth are you talking about?' she broke in at last.· 'That's enough,' the guard broke in impatiently. 'Hurry up and say goodbye.'break in on: · The tutor finally broke in on Sam's monologue, much to the relief of the rest of the class.
when something happens before it is too late · David said he'd take me to the concert, if he's home in time.· If you don't leave enough space between your car and the car in front, you may not be able to stop in time.in time to do something · Don't worry, I'll be back in time to cook dinner.· She's hoping to be out of hospital in time to celebrate her birthday at home.in time for · Do you think you'll be fit in time for Saturday's race?
happening or done in time, but almost too late: · She put her foot on the brakes just in time.just in time to do something: · He got to the airport just in time to catch the flight to Madrid.just in time for: · Come in. You're just in time for a cup of coffee.only just in time British: · We were only just in time. A few more minutes and the bank would have been closed.
informal just in time to prevent something bad from happening - often used in stories: · Radio contact was established in the nick of time and we managed to transmit a message to the ship.just in the nick of time: · She escaped from her smoke-filled home just in the nick of time.
just in time to prevent something very bad from happening: · The ambulance finally arrived, not a moment too soon.
if something happens at the last minute , it happens at the latest possible time, just before it is too late: · An American businessman stepped in at the last minute to rescue the company.· Realizing its error at the last minute, the magazine just managed to correct the offending headline.
if something happens at the eleventh hour , it happens at the latest possible time, just before it is too late - use this when you had almost given up hoping that something would happen: · War was averted at the eleventh hour when both sides agreed to talks.
to manage to do something, talk to someone, see something etc just before it is too late: · I managed to catch her just as she was leaving the office.catch the post British (=post letters etc in time for them to be collected that day): · The letters were all addressed and stamped, and there was still plenty of time to catch the post.catch the news/a TV programme etc: · She was rushing to catch her favorite show on TV.
British /cut it close American to have very little time left before you have to be somewhere or do something, so that you are almost late: · Kelly had 10 minutes to reach the studio -- even in normal traffic that was cutting it close.cut it a bit fine: · You're cutting it a bit fine aren't you? The show starts in 2 minutes.cut it pretty close: · We cut it pretty close - we only had 30 minutes to get to the airport.
use this to tell or warn someone to do something now in order to prevent something bad from happening that they will not be able to change later: · You'd better get that letter back from her somehow, before it's too late.· We are urging the government to stop the bombing now, before it's too late.
to reduce the number, amount, price, or size of something to make something less in amount or level: · I was hoping they would reduce the price a little.greatly/significantly/dramatically reduce: · You can greatly reduce your heating bills by using low-energy heaters.dramatically/drastically reduce: · Their income has been drastically reduced.reduce something by half/10%/2 years etc: · The new road will reduce traffic through the town by 30%.· Benefits will be reduced by $50 for each child who fails to attend school.
to reduce an amount, limit, or level - use this especially in writing about business or technical subjects: · After 20 minutes, lower the temperature to 200 degrees.· The Bundesbank is under pressure to lower interest rates.
to reduce something by a lot, especially prices, time, or money: · The new system is aimed at cutting the average waiting time.cut something by half/several weeks/ten per cent etc: · Because of the recession, salaries in the advertising industry have been cut by a half.· The mortgage insurance agency has cut costs by $2000 over the last 3 years, making it easier for people to buy homes.cut something from/to something: · His annual leave has been cut from six weeks to just three.
to reduce the level of sound, heat, light etc, especially by turning a control: turn something down: · Could you turn the lights down - it's too bright in here.turn down something: · The weather wasn't as cold, so we decided to turn down the central heating.turn something down slightly/a little/a bit: · Would you mind turning the volume down a little?
to reduce something, especially by a fairly small amount or number: · Various methods are being explored in order to decrease the volume of traffic on our roads.· Better health education should help to decrease the incidence of heart disease.· Use of the new nets has significantly decreased the number of dolphins killed accidentally each year.
informal to reduce prices by a very large amount - used especially in advertisements and newspapers: · American car manufacturers have started slashing prices in an effort to stimulate sales.· Public spending has been slashed over the past two years.slash something by 10%/half/75% etc: · Come to our Summer Sale, where prices have been slashed by up to 75%.
informal to reduce the price of something by a large amount, especially in order to make it easier to sell: knock down something: · Shops are knocking down prices in an effort to increase sales.knock something down: · In the end he knocked the price down to £70.
to reduce something by half: · The overseas aid budget has been almost halved, from $18m to just over $10m.
American to reduce prices: roll back something: · Most of the big downtown stores have rolled back their prices to dispose of winter stock.roll something back: · Rather than roll prices back, the company negotiated pay increases that ranged between 10 and 15 percent.
when a company reduces its activities, the amount it spends etc also scale back American to reduce something, such as the size of an organization or a plan, so that it is still operating but on a smaller level: scale down/back something: · European central banks have scaled down their operations in South Africa.scale something down/back: · The two companies have announced plans to scale back production next year.· Development projects were scaled down, and some proposals for new buildings were put on hold.
to reduce the numbers of something or the time or money spent on something, especially because you can no longer afford to continue at the previous level: cut back on: · Her friends know that she is under stress and have warned her to cut back on her workload.cut back something: · Our budget has been cut back this year.· Farmers have agreed to cut back wheat production.cut something back: · We have had to cut expenditure back in an effort to increase profits.
especially American to reduce the number of people who work for a company, especially in order to save money: · They are downsizing the workforce in a desperate attempt to save the firm.· Advised to rightsize its operation, the company has shrunk to 2,000 employees.
to reduce something by small amounts over a period of time so that the effect is not very serious or noticeable while it is happening: pare down something: · The company has pared down expenditure and hopes to recoup its losses this year.pare something down: · We have managed to pare our costs down to the absolute minimum.
also rationalise British to try to make a company more effective by getting rid of unnecessary workers etc: · We are a small company, and we need to rationalize if we want to compete in this market.· The company has done a lot to rationalize production.
to gradually reduce the work of a company or organization so that it can be closed down completely: wind something down: · The old sickness benefit system is slowly being wound down.wind something down: · I want to return in a few years' time - I've already started to wind the business down.
especially British to deliberately make something such as a company, an industry, or a public service weaker and weaker, by giving it less and less money: run down something: · Opposition leaders are accusing the government of running down the Health Service.run something down: · They buy up rival companies then just run them down.
to reduce something by a small amount that will not harm or change it very much, especially in order to save money: · By trimming costs and improving service the hotel has now started to make a profit again.trim something by 10% etc: · The proposed bill would trim welfare spending by $5 billion.
to reduce the costs of something such as a service or industry by employing fewer people, reducing the number of things you produce or provide etc - used especially in business contexts: · The government is once again attempting to streamline the health care service in order to pay for tax cuts.· The company announced it was to streamline its operations and close down three factories in the UK.
to reduce the amount of something that you eat, drink, or use if you cut down on food, alcoholic drink, or tobacco, you eat, drink, or smoke less of it, especially in order to lose weight or to improve your health: · If you can't give up smoking completely, at least try to cut down.cut down on: · I'm trying to cut down on meat.
to reduce the amount of something that you eat, drink, or use. Reduce is more formal than cut down: · Doctors are urging people to reduce the amount of salt in their diet.· Supermarkets can help promote healthy eating habits by reducing the amount of sugar and fat in their products.
to remove writing, film, or music from paper, a tape etc to remove part or all of a document in a computer, so that it no longer exists: · I think you should delete the second paragraph.· The computer automatically deletes any files you have not saved.
British /erase American to remove writing or pictures from paper by rubbing with a piece of rubber, or to remove writing or pictures from a board by rubbing with a cloth: · Use a pencil so you can erase your mistakes.rub something out: · I had to rub the whole thing out and start again.rub out something: · Someone had rubbed out my name.
to draw a line through a word to show that it was a mistake or that you want to change what you have written: cross out something: · She crossed out the names of people who had left.cross something out: · That's not right. Cross it out and start again.
to remove writing, film, or music that has been recorded on a machine: · Is there any way I can erase this videotape so no one will see what's on it?· Somehow the magnets had erased the entire cassette.
to remove a section from a computer document, piece of writing, or film: · Some of the descriptions are a bit long and should be cut.· A couple of the scenes had to be cut because they were too violent.
to remove something when you are preparing a book, piece of film etc for printing or broadcasting. : edit something out: · If you make a mistake, don't worry - we can edit it out before the interview is shown.edit out something: · They had edited out several of the most important points in the article.
to remove something from inside something else to take something from inside a container or place: take out something: · She opened her briefcase and took out a letter.· I need to get to a cash machine and take out some money.· We'll have to take out the engine to fix the gearbox.take something out: · Roland reached inside his jacket and took his passport out.take something out of something: · She took a few coins out of her purse.
to take something from inside something. Remove is more formal than take out , and is used especially in writing: · Cut the fruit in half and remove the seeds.· He opened the torch and removed the bulb.remove from: · Someone had removed some papers from the file.
to remove something from deep inside something else, often when this is difficult: get something out: · The spare wheel was right at the back of the boot under a load of suitcases, so it took me ages to get it out.get something out of something: · It's important to get all the dirt out of the wound.get out something: · If you want to get out the old photo albums, you're going to have to dig in the bottom of that trunk.
to remove a natural substance from the ground or from a plant, or to take out someone's tooth: · 42 tons of gold were extracted at the mine in 1987.· She had to have three teeth extracted.extract something from something: · The nuts are crushed in order to extract the oil from them.· The bird uses its long beak to extract nectar from the flowers.
to remove something from the inside of something else, using a knife: cut out something: · Make sure you cut out any tough, gristly parts before you cook the meat.cut something out: · I knew I would have to cut the bullet out before the wound became infected.
to suddenly take something out from a place where it cannot be seen, for example from a pocket, bag etc: pull out something: · The man pulled out a gun and fired three shots.pull something out: · She pulled a notebook out and scribbled a few notes.
to separate people from each other, the rest of society etc to keep two or more people apart, especially so that they cannot cause any trouble together: · Teachers thought it best to separate Paul and Fred and put them in different classes.separate somebody from somebody: · Separating prisoners from each other is sometimes the only way of preventing riots.
to separate two or more people so that they cannot talk to or harm each other: · At the party it seemed only sensible to keep her ex-husband and her new boyfriend apart.keep sb apart from: · Sex offenders are often kept apart from other prisoners for their own safety.
to keep someone away from other people, especially because they are suffering from an infectious disease: · We used to routinely isolate people who had measles.isolate somebody from: · The six other patients were immediately isolated from the infected four.
to separate someone from the people they are usually with: · She realized that he was trying to cut her off from her friends.· It's easy to get cut off from your family when you first go overseas.
to separate one group of people from others, especially because of their race, sex, religion etc: · Schools should not segregate children with disabilities.· Faith-based schools would only segregate society further.be segregated from: · Male prisoners were strictly segregated from the females.
the practice of keeping people of different races apart and making them live, work, or study separately, especially because one race believes that members of the other race are not as good as they are: · Racial segregation in schools still exists in some southern states.· Civil rights protestors called for an end to all segregation.
the former South African political and social system in which black and white races had to go to separate schools, live in separate areas etc as a way of keeping white people in their position of power: · Mandela was in prison for over 25 years for opposing apartheid in South Africa.· an anti-apartheid organization
separated from other people because you have or may have an infectious illness that they could catch if they were with you: · One of the crew caught smallpox, and soon they were all in quarantine.put somebody in quarantine: · All animals entering the UK used to have to be put in quarantine.
to deliberately separate yourself from another person, group etc to deliberately separate yourself from a larger group or organization, especially because you no longer want to work with them: · Last year, he split from the rock band, "Hot City'.· The left wing of the party is likely to split from its parent organization.
to deliberately separate yourself from a group of people, usually permanently, because you want to be alone or independent: · She had cut herself off, and when David left her she had no one to turn to.cut yourself off from: · Quite deliberately, she cut herself off from the rest of the family.
to formally and permanently end a relationship with another person, company, country etc: · Throughout the seventies, the government was urged to sever all links with South Africa.· Tobolewski, like many immigrants into America, severed all his ties with his Polish background.
to deliberately separate yourself from a person, organization etc, because you do not want people to think you are connected with it or are responsible for something that they are doing: · The government is seeking to detach itself from the latest financial scandal.· Diplomats saw his resignation as a way of distancing himself from an unpopular government.
to make something shorter to make something shorter, especially by removing part of it: · I heard she had an operation to shorten her nose.· You can improve your writing just by shortening some of these long sentences.· It costs £12 to get trousers shortened.· This essay's still too long, I'll have to shorten it by a couple of thousand words.shorten something to something: · His name's Lawrence, but it's usually shortened to Larry.
to make something shorter, especially by removing part of it: · You could make your speech shorter by taking out all the quotations.make something one metre/two centimetres etc shorter: · Engineers have removed a section of the pipeline, making it about a hundred metres shorter.
to make a film or piece of writing shorter by removing parts from it: · Even after it had been cut, the film was still over three hours long.· I had to cut huge chunks out to get this essay to the right length.cut something from something: · It's so difficult to cut even a couple of scenes from a play without losing some of the story.
to make a piece of writing shorter by removing parts of it completely: cut something down: · The introduction's too long. Can you try and cut it down?· Did you have to cut your dissertation down?cut down something: · They want me to cut down my article so that it'll all fit onto one page.
to shorten something spoken or written, by not giving as much detail, or by using fewer words to give the same information: · I'd like to condense that statement still further.condense something into something: · Hawkins condensed all his writings into one volume for publication.· How could he condense all he had lived through into a sixty-minute speech?
to spend less money to reduce the amount of money that you regularly spend: · We've had to cut down a lot since Craig lost his job - it's been very hard for us.cut down on: · She's already cut down on going out and buying clothes, but she doesn't have enough money to start paying off her debts.cut down somebody's expenses/bills etc: · The department has overspent this year and we will have to cut down our expenses.
also economise British to spend less money by buying only the things that you really need, or by buying cheaper things: · Sorry, I can't come out tonight - I'm trying to economize.· We're economizing this year by having a cheaper vacation.economize on (=spend less money on something): · Families on low incomes are having to economize on food and heating costs.
to spend as little money as possible, only buying things you really need, because you have very little money and want to save it to use in the future: · Chris's parents scrimped and saved so that he could go to college.· I had hardly any money left and was scrimping and saving just to buy the bare necessities.
to spend less money than you usually do because there is less money available: · Most people have to tighten their belts a little when they retire.· Governments and companies are forced to tighten their belts during a recession.
to carefully plan and control how much you spend: · We'll have to budget more carefully in the future. We've spent far more than we can afford.budget for: · By the time I had budgeted for food and rent I only had a few pounds left.
what you say when you tell someone to stop doing something spoken · Stop what you're doing when the buzzer sounds.stop doing something · Will you please stop talking and listen to me!stop it/that · Stop it! You're hurting me.
American spoken say this to tell someone to stop doing something because it annoys you: quit it/that: · Quit that! You're driving me crazy.· I hated the way she was teasing me. "Quit it!'' I said.quit doing something: · Quit fooling around and pay attention.
also pack it in British use this to tell someone to stop doing something because it annoys you: · Come on, you two, cut it out!· Just cut it out, Jim. Stop acting like a kid.· Oh, pack it in you lot, or we're going straight home.
say this when you want someone to stop doing or saying something that is annoying you: · Look, I don't want to argue with you, so just lay off.· Lay off the swearing, if you don't mind.· Hey, lay off Vinnie, will you? He hasn't done you any harm.
to stop having a particular type of food or drink to stop eating a particular type of food, especially for health reasons: · With this diet, I have to cut out bread, cookies, and cakes.· Try cutting out red meat and dairy produce, and see if your symptoms improve.
spoken to stop eating, drinking, or using a particular type of food, drink, or drug, especially for health reasons: · I'm trying to lay off rich food for a while to lose some weight.· If he really wants to write the book, he'll need to lay off the drink until he does it.
to make something stop happening or continuing to make someone stop doing something, or make something stop happening: · The referee stopped the fight when one of the boxers was badly injured.· It is now time to stop the war and begin negotiations for peace.· Officials are planning to take court action to stop publication of the book.stop somebody doing something: · I gave my little brother some chocolate to stop him crying.
to stop something, especially so that it never starts again: · An injury like this could put an end to her dancing career.· The outbreak of war put an end to their romance.
to finally and permanently end something that has continued for a long time: bring something to an end: · A treaty was signed which finally brought the conflict to an end.bring to an end something: · There are calls for the Prime Minister to bring to an end the uncertainty about the election date.
to make something stop changing, developing, or progressing: · The government is determined to halt the trade in illegal animal furs.· All his efforts had failed to halt the increase in street crime.
to decide that a planned action or activity should be stopped after it has already started: · The union decided to call off the strike when they were offered a 10% pay rise.· The meeting was called off at the last minute.· The hunt for the missing boy had to be called off because of severe weather conditions.
to stop an activity earlier than was planned, especially because of something unexpected such as illness or bad news: · She was forced to cut short her holiday and return to the UK.· His education was cut short when his father died of a sudden illness.
to stop an action that has been started, because it would be too dangerous to continue: · The mission was aborted after news came of the capture of the city.· The plane had already started its descent when the pilot received orders to abort his landing.
to officially order that something should be stopped, when you intend to let it start again at a later time: · We have decided to suspend all production at the factory until safety checks can be carried out.· All pay increases are to be suspended until further notice.· The trial was suspended after threats were made against witnesses.
informal to stop giving money to a plan or planned business activity so that it cannot continue: · The city council has pulled the plug on the new housing development.· Over 1000 workers lost their jobs when the company pulled the plug on plans to open ten new stores.
to keep prices or wages at the same level and not increase them: · The company has announced that it intends to freeze all salaries for a year.· All government employees have had their salaries frozen at last year's levels.
what you say when you are going to summarize something use this at the beginning of a sentence when you are going to summarize what has been said, especially at the end of a speech: · To sum up, the jury found the wrong person guilty.· To summarize, Bremer is saying "you just have to trust me."· In summary, don't waste your money on this book.
use this when you are summarizing a situation or idea in a few words: · In a nutshell, the state government is expected to be $2 million in debt by the end of the year.· A study of women at work says, in a nutshell, that opportunities have opened up dramatically.put it in a nutshell: · Bob put it in a nutshell when he said the problems was essentially a lack of communication.
use this to say the most important point about a situation in a few words: · In short, the report says that more money should be spent on education.· In short, the better a parent you are during the first 18 years, the better friends you'll be later.
especially British /to make a long story short American say this when you want to finish a story quickly and only tell people the most important parts: · To make a long story short, Stephen had a fight with Paul and ended up in the hospital.· I was a waitress in a bar and he was one of my customers, and that, to cut a long story short, is how we met.
to end a telephone call to finish a telephone conversation or stop it before it has finished by putting down the receiver (=the part of a telephone you speak into): · If a caller is rude, just hang up.hang up the phone/receiver: · I said I'd be right there. I hung up the phone and grabbed my purse and car keys.hang up on somebody (=put the telephone down while someone is still talking): · Mitchell was furious and hung up on him.
especially British to put down the receiver (=the part of a telephone you speak into) after you have finished talking to someone: · There was a long pause, and she was about to put the phone down when the voice came back again.
to put the telephone down while someone is still speaking to you, because you are angry: · Call her. The worst thing she could do is slam down the phone.slam the phone down/slam down the phone on: · He tried to talk to her, but she slammed the phone down on him.
if you get cut off or get disconnected when you are making a telephone call, the telephone suddenly stops working in the middle of your conversation and you cannot continue: · We got cut off in the middle of the conversation.· I don't know what happened, we just got disconnected.
British to end a telephone call: · I suppose I'd better ring off now -- we've been on the phone for over an hour.
WORD SETSbaby carriage, nounbabyish, adjectivebaby milk, nounbaby walker, nounbib, nounbooster seat, nounbottle, nounbottle-feed, verbbouncing, adjectivebuggy, nounchange, verbcradle, nouncreche, nouncrib, nouncrib death, nouncrow, verbcut, verbday care, noundiaper, noundiaper rash, noundummy, nounexpress, verbfeed, nounfeeding-bottle, nounformula, nounfractious, adjectivehood, nounmatinée jacket, nounmilk, nounMoses basket, nounnappy, nounnightlight, nounnipple, nounnursery, nounpacifier, nounpapoose, nounperambulator, nounpoop, nounpoo-poo, nounpotty, nounpotty-training, nounpram, nounpushchair, nounrusk, nounsitter, nounsling, nounspoon-feed, verbstroller, nounswaddling clothes, nounteat, nounzwieback, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1nouns
You’re 25 years old, and you still haven’t cut the apron strings. The team are relying on Gregg to give them a cutting edge. drastic cuts in government spending He tried to cut in line (=go in front of other people who are waiting). Buy direct from the manufacturer and cut out the middleman (=avoid using a middleman). She cut the cake into four equal pieces. Chop the potato into bite-sized pieces. a young singer who was tragically cut off in her prime (=died while she was in her prime) The new rules should help cut the red tape for farmers. Brian had cut himself shaving. Carlos decided to take a short-cut home. We cut a swathe through the dense undergrowth. They want to make sweeping changes to education policies. Teenage boys especially feel a need to cut the umbilical cord tying them to their mothers.
(=reduce the amount you spend running a business, a home etc)· They cut costs by getting rid of staff.
· Shops have been forced to cut their prices after very slow sales.
· The government is expected to cut interest rates next month.
· In the 1990s, governments worldwide cut military spending.
· The bank announced that it was cutting 500 jobs.
· Cameras have helped to cut crime in the town centre.
adverbs (=cut a lot)· Housing benefit was sharply cut for all but the poorest people.
phrases (=reduce it to the lowest level possible)· Funding for art and music in schools has been cut to the bone.
Meaning 2phrases· Shall I cut you a slice of cake?
(=into two pieces)· Cut the tomatoes in half.
· Next cut the carrots into thin slices.
(=so that it is the size/length you need)· The place where I bought the wood cut it to size for me.
adverbs· Cut open the avocado and remove the stone.
(=cut it in the direction that is longest)· First cut the fish in half lengthways.
(=with no uneven edges)· Branches should be cut cleanly from the tree.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=stop giving aid)· The US has threatened to cut off aid to the region.· Conditons deteriorated further as western aid was withdrawn.
You’re 25 years old, and you still haven’t cut the apron strings.· We need to find a way to cut our fuel bill.
· Could you cut some bread?
(=reductions in the amount of money that is available)· The department has suffered severe budget cuts.
(=very strong competition)· The cutthroat competition in the airline industry kept prices low for many years.
(=reduce it)· a plan to cut energy consumption by 40%
(=not go all around the edge of a corner)· I crashed into a motorcyclist who had cut the corner.
(=reduce it)· The government has promised to cut the cost of medical care.
(=used to tell someone to stop saying things that are completely wrong)· Just cut the crap and tell me what really happened.
(=the date etc when you stop doing something) The cut-off date for registration is July 2.
The cut-off date for registration is July 2. The team are relying on Gregg to give them a cutting edge. informal (=agree a deal, especially when it is difficult or you have to accept some things you would rather not accept)· In the end, they had to cut a deal with the Communists.
· We must drastically cut our budget deficit to sustain economic growth.
drastic cuts in government spending (=stop the supply of electricity)· You risk having your electricity cut off if you fail to pay the bill.
· an agreement to cut emissions of gases which contribute to global warming
(=stops suddenly)· The engine keeps cutting out.
· Their policies are designed to cut public expenditure.
· There has been a marked reduction in expenditure on some social and welfare services.
· Make cut flowers last longer by changing the water in the vase.
· The forest was cut down to make way for housing.
· The grass in the back garden needs cutting.
(also get your hair cut etc) (=by a hairdresser)· I need to get my hair cut.
· My mum always cuts my hair.
(=into two equal pieces)· He tore the paper in half.
(=make something 50% smaller or 50% less)· The company has reduced the number of staff by half.
(=morally good and never doing anything bad)· The recent scandal has damaged his clean-cut image.
· New investment will reduce imports and save jobs.
· The factory is closing, with 600 job losses.
(=make one)· Could you get a key cut for me?
He tried to cut in line (=go in front of other people who are waiting). (=a joint of meat taken from a particular part of an animal)· Cheaper cuts of meat can be tough.
Buy direct from the manufacturer and cut out the middleman (=avoid using a middleman).· You should cut your nails more often!
(=ought to be washed, cleaned etc) His hair needs a wash.
His hair needs a wash. (=a story cut out of a newspaper)· I found some old newspaper cuttings of the band's first concert in Liverpool.
· Staff were asked to take a 10% pay cut.
She cut the cake into four equal pieces. Chop the potato into bite-sized pieces.· New measures are needed to reduce pollution from cars.
· The company recently cut the price of its best-selling car.
· Holiday sales were down, even with drastic price cuts.
a young singer who was tragically cut off in her prime (=died while she was in her prime)· The Halifax Building Society is to cut its mortgage rate by 0.7 percent.
The new rules should help cut the red tape for farmers. (=when a government or a company reduces the size or amount of something)· The president is likely to approve a new round of cuts in military forces.
(=reduce someone’s salary)· They will cut salaries before they cut jobs.
(=a decrease in someone’s salary)· The workforce agreed to take salary cuts.
(=a reduction in salary)· He couldn’t afford to take a drop in salary.
· These measures could sharply reduce pollution from road traffic.
Brian had cut himself shaving. Carlos decided to take a short-cut home.· He cut another slice of bread.
· Cut the orange into thin slices.
· The alternative is to cut spending.
We cut a swathe through the dense undergrowth. They want to make sweeping changes to education policies.· There’s no point promising to cut taxes if you can’t afford it.
· He believes that big tax cuts will encourage economic growth.
(=become trapped as the sea rises)· Two anglers had to be rescued after getting cut off by the tide.
· He said that he planned to sever his ties with the club.
(=have one of your first teeth growing)· Poor little Patrick was cutting another tooth and we had hardly had any sleep.
· The congestion charge did cut road traffic in central London.
Teenage boys especially feel a need to cut the umbilical cord tying them to their mothers.· The government is spending more on projects to cut unemployment.
· Those who kept their jobs had to take large wage cuts.
(=change your will so that someone is no longer given anything when you die)· His father cut her out of his will.
· A local carpenter cut the wood to size.
· She had to be cut free from the wreckage by firemen.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· A worn braid feels rough and is best cut away and the line joined by a blood knot.· Early last year, the city cut away some of the brush in the nesting area to try to disperse the birds.· No one, as far as I know, has ever before cut away the wing of a submerged big jet.· As such trees were inevitably scattered, it required a very wide territory, but its wilderness was slowly cut away.· Triton shells are frequently found in shrines, and with the narrow end cut away to make a mouthpiece.· He carefully cuts away the spines and skin protecting the seedy red fruit within, affording a sloppy stolen treat.· Where a lawn is involved, cut away the turf and loose topsoil.
· In mid-1981 Virgin was doing badly; the company had made redundancies and the roster was being cut back.· Louis equation has been cut back a bit. 19.· All the geraniums in their pots had been cut back.· Take the stairs. Cut back on those juicy burgers.· Over the past few months, governments have been considering action to cut back on emissions of greenhouse gases.· Banks got into the act when they realized that they too could cut back their exposure to a dangerous and cyclical world.· Speeding up urban traffic could save 10 percent of fuel, and so cut back on carbon dioxide.· If patrons cut back their purchases by less than 10 percent, we would say that demand is inelastic.
· Thousands of High Elves were cut down by crossbow fire as they waded ashore.· As they approached the first little island, Claude cut down on the power and turned north along the shoreline.· Here I cut down several of the largest trees with my knife, and made two wooden boxes.· I had a sense that this was a much longer project that was cut down to a more commercial length.· Although it cuts down on your freedom, Steves now recommends making make reservations at least a few hours in advance.· This cuts down both the necessary search and the number of candidates found to be allowable.· And then, only an inning later, his catcher threw hard to second base, trying to cut down a steal.
· There was some reference to a letter and that was quite enough to make Charity cut in at once.· Ask Vlosich a question and one of his parents will cut in before the kid has a chance to speak.· For an anxious moment Ace waited for the suit's air system to cut in.· But, at the very least, we want to be cut in on the deal.· A small pair of scissors that will cut in awkward little corners, etc..· Other players assume they must be guests, or members, or have, at worst, cut in.· Ace felt a tremor as the attractors cut in and anchored the boots to the station.
· His angry partners cut off his access to all bank accounts and halted payment of his share of the monthly profits.· We were a little bit cut off because we were in our own house.· Clinton: Leading a campaign to cut off sales of cigarettes to minors.· Many of them were also completely cut off from the normal trading conditions that enable people to exercise choice.· I would feel cut off and inadequate whenever my family prayed together.· Thus a number of sections become cut off from the entrances and these might well not be reopened.· And, to make matters worse, it cuts off all medical benefits to their spouses and children.
· What's more you can cut out the coupon opposite and get your first pack at around half price.· Of course, if you have a fax at home, you can cut out the middleman.· They had a sheet showing a car park and also cars to cut out.· They have their work cut out for them.· The easiest form of discrimination is to cut out all those outlets and publications which will obviously not be interested.· Jamie simply was not cut out for it.· Gedamke had cut out the answers and pasted them one on top of another.
· Hyacinth thought it best to leave with him at once, soas to cut short the unpleasantness.· However, Bantle would not rule out the possibility that the mission could be cut short if the system is not repaired.· Focus Charles had earlier cut short two engagements in the Midlands to get to the school on time.· Those early repayments, or prepayments, cut short the lives of mortgage securities and can reduce their returns.· When he reached twelve his father cut short his education and procured him a naval cadetship in March 1800.· He cut short a vacation and rushed back to Washington to meet with Ford.· She cut short the stumbling thanks and put down the phone.· A muscle pull cut short his training.
· These hairs have been driven into the wound but not cut through - you see?· Every time I saw them cut through so many widths of material at once, my blood went cold.· The suspense is cut through when he walks out on them.· The hallway extended about three feet to the right, where the archway to the living room cut through.· Lead pipes are easy to cut through with a hacksaw.· When it was cut through, nothing happened.
NOUN· It had a lethal edge now which cut her to the bone.· These icy cold droplets seemed to cut through to the bone as if to punish him for the way he was.· Budgets are tight and subject to sudden change, and inessentials, such as maintenance, are cut to the bone.· To carve the joint, stand it with the ribs underneath, cut away the chine bone and discard.· Rose, whose own profits were already cut to the bone to get the order, knew that she was on trial.· His mockery, which he meant as love, frightened and cut her to the bone.· Anything would have been better than this ice-cold contempt that cut her to the bone.
· The education budget was cut by 19 percent overall in January 1989 and a further 25 percent in June.· And when budgets are cut, marginal programs are the first to go.· But the museum is desperately short of cash, having had it's budget cut since 1985.· Dole has pledged to balance the federal budget and cut taxes.· But it is bound to be expensive, and defence budgets are being cut.· Its budget has been cut by 40 percent from its fiscal 1995 level, resulting in staff firings and program reorganizations.· Then we got significant budget cuts here on our district.
· They hadn't learned to cut quite so many corners.· No one will care if the administration cuts logical corners over so-called rogue states or fading dictators.· Operators who cut corners will get a licence for only 12 years.· Therefore I manage it judiciously, trying to cut every corner that I can.· But still we cut no corners.· He cut a lot of corners, but even with editing, it affected her.· We were all turning gently to port as I cut the corner and was slowly closing on the Hun.· Leese turned harder left and cut the corner of the turn that Shaker had taken, wagging the tail again.
· Mr Gummer unveiled a series of measures to cut costs at slaughterhouses.· Lower prices forced the industry to cut costs and develop more efficient technology.· They cut costs and became more productive.· Further, because it is cheaper to obtain equipment and staff in bulk, they can cut costs.· They also revealed that employers were trying to cut costs on essential precautions such as vaccination and protective equipment and clothing.· Hospitals industrywide have been facing pressures from insurers to cut costs amid declining patient stays.· Its aim was to cut operating costs.· It was a way to cut costs and run a city, town or state more cheaply.
· The companies will merge technology platforms, which will be more efficient and cut costs.· Even if they do not cut effective costs, they will bring about changes in patterns of demand for services.· In other words, insurers cut costs by making it harder to get medical services.· Mr Gummer unveiled a series of measures to cut costs at slaughterhouses.· Banks across the country tied the knot as a way to cut costs and boost earnings.· Tony Durham Mains signalling is both a domestic luxury and a way to cut industry's energy costs.· Many firms are increasingly contracting out administrative services positions and otherwise streamlining these functions in an effort to cut costs.
· Rather than cut shabby deals, he should call a general election.· Grateful Dead guitar guru Jerry Garcia may be dead, but he can still cut a deal.· The message is that the government will cut a deal with any threatened industry willing to pay through the nose.· Or Republicans could try to cut a deal with congressional Democrats in the hope that Mr Clinton would come aboard later.· Why not cut a deal, before it was too late?· When they let me speak, I cut a deal.· The president and Congress cut a deal on a balanced budget that exempts military spending from any cuts.· But, at the very least, we want to be cut in on the deal.
· In return, the Church cut a somewhat uncertain figure.· It was natural that she should cut a poor figure in the Iliad, where the battle of heroes is the theme.· On the ramp he cut a frankly glamorous figure, where he moved like a series of elegant decisions.· No violinist ever cut a more unprepossessing figure.· Diana cut a nondescript figure in her checked shirt, her sister's anorak, cords and wellington boots.· Still, he cuts and appealing screen figure.· Those we recall with greatest fondness, all cut their figures against a wider, more luminous backdrop than mere office.
· The burr will prevent a proper fitting being made and can also cut your fingers.· Still, what if one of them fell, cut a finger, banged a head?· He'd cut my fingers off if I used it.· In early December, Aesop cut his finger opening a can of cling peaches.· The rough metal edge cut into his finger tip.· It never broke cleanly but flaked apart into strands that cut their fingers if they weren't careful.· Keep a packet of pitta bread in the freezer, heat up under the grill from frozen and cut into fingers.
· The object was further testing of the radiometer using different illumination levels and cut grass subjects.· Mulchers cut and recut the grass clippings so that they virtually disappear within the lawn.· You ask me to cut grass and make hay and sell it and be rich like white men.· The lawn had been freshly cut, some grass raked into piles on the front walk.· We cut grass with a ride-on mower and dead head if not growing for seed.· Quentin Featherston cut the grass of the rectory lawns again.· We won't be able to cut the grass the week after next, as I'd hoped.
· Her hair is red, cut with a machete, and her face is china white.· Leanna had had almost all her hair cut off.· Hair by Scissors Boyish cuts retain their charm. Hair is cut to the ears and the fringe finger ruffled.· His hair had been cut, and it became him.· His thick white hair was cut short and unevenly, so that in parts it stood up in clumps.· I had had my hair cut to maintain the Dorothy Hamill wedge style.· Another has her hair cut in a short crop, dyed a deep pink.· I wash your intimate places, pull your white hairs, and cut your nails.
· Galley cut the deficit in half at 7: 13 on their third power play.· Yahoo's stock price has been cut by half since last summer, but it's an overreaction, the company says.· It said said contamination levels must be cut by half within five years.· Traders of interest-rate futures are pricing in a half-point cut in the first half of this year.· Now cut the tomato in half from stem top to bottom.· Industry could cut this amount in half in five years, according to the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment.
· He cut off its head with his sword. and this would seem quite reasonable; but could I write this?· When the whale is cut up, the head resembles that of the mysterious Sphynx.· The death squad published a statement claiming they would cut off the head of every Committee member.· They catch you they cut your head off.· Harvest tip Instead of harvesting the whole cabbage, cut the head leaving a short stump.· Leese and I sat at the bottom of the vertical tunnel he had cut, our heads swiveling on nervous lookout.· I mean it's not as though Charles actually cut Paul's head off.· Maybe he could feign amnesia, or just cut the reading and head for home.
· The fact it was an out-of-character performance for this season cut no ice.· High-sounding jargon or pointless platitudes cut little ice when one is alert to the actual message being conveyed.· When they could, his companions cut ice and thawed it for water needed in the daily mass.· None of which cut much ice with Manchester United, who controlled this match from start to finish without breaking sweat.· But it was for a reason that would cut no ice with Jean-Claude and so I did not put it to him.· We planned to cut ice bollards and ice threads to save our precious supply of abseil gear.· This had always been the fall-back position, but at this late stage in the argument it cut no ice.
· But it rebounded almost twice as far on news that the Fed had cut interest rates.· Governments cut interest rates to spur demand.· Financial analysts now say the Bundesbank may choose to cut interest rates, wark against inflation, not an economic spur.· He says he will cut interest rates on short-term investments to below inflation, thereby discouraging speculation.· I would have cut interest rates very sharply now to three or four percent.· Markets expect that the Fed will soon cut interest rates again.
· As it cut jobs the company was hit by strikes, in 1986 and 1989.· UniChem said it would take a 26 million pound charge to cut jobs and consolidate the two companies if the merger succeeds.· The airline cut 600 managerial jobs in December.· Manufacturers cut jobs during November in response to weak consumer spending.· Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is to cut 950 jobs at its plant in Crewe, Cheshire.· He said the company probably will also use the money to cut jobs through a voluntary retirement scheme.· In part two: Clean round the bend.Sweepers offer to take take a pay cut to keep their jobs.· Merrill Lynch traditionally cuts jobs in January following the end of its fiscal year.
· Working quickly, he used his knife to cut strips of cloth from the man's clothing.· Use the sharp knife to cut off the crusts.· He took out his knife and cut a swathe to the hollow.· A mile out of town his father stopped the mules and then got out his knife to cut each boy a sample.· Take a sharp knife and cut the roll into four equal lengths.· Using a small cleaver or a large, heavy knife, cut the hind leg across the bone into 2 pieces.· Dot didn't like watching that two-fingered hand as it grasped the knife to cut the dumplings.· I took a knife and cut off the upper joint of my left pinky.
· If the outlet is directly over the pipe, simply cut the pipe to length and push it over the outlet connection.· They are displayed whole at meat counters or are cut into short lengths and packaged.· He cut off his shoulder length hair, put on a suit, and started dealing with bankers.· This fastening can be cut to any length as it is available by the metre or sold in pre-packed form.· An immigration-reform measure pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee would cut the length of employment to three years, but Sen.· They were straightened, then cut to length on a saw, drilled, and placed adjacent to their assembly points.· The aluminium tube is then cut to length as required with a hacksaw.
· A worn braid feels rough and is best cut away and the line joined by a blood knot.· If we could cut off these lines of communication, their attack would usually falter.· Maybe - I cut off that line of thinking.· Ask another student volunteer to cut along the line.· Energis cut the lines to Ezesurf last week because of non-payment.· The movement for ballot initiatives has cut across party lines.· The fisherman cut their lines and set sail for port, but the sea serpent continued to follow them.· Slabs irregularly cut with jagged lines where sections had dropped off.
· Cawthorne cuts his losses and goes somewhere else.· Killeen has cut multimillion-dollar maritime losses in half.· I hope Wilko cuts his losses with our Brian and then goes out to look for a decent striker.· As for Richard, take my advice and cut your losses.· Slashing costs and hiking insurance rates cut its loss against 1991 by a thumping £84 million.· Try the risky, potentially spectacular shot, or cut his losses and play safe?· I believe he must cut his losses on a number of individuals.· Once he learned to ride his gains and cut his losses, he never looked back.
· They help to cut down the number of acne bacteria in the blocked-up grease glands and reduce painful inflammation.· While air bags do cut down the number of deaths and injuries, they are not completely effective.· Since it seems they are not to be permitted to cut student numbers, they are attempting to increase income.· The pension fund plans to cut in half the number of outside managers, Mr Burnham added.· The recession has cut the number of Thames's commercial customers and has virtually killed off profits from selling redundant properties.· For example, we cut the number of aircraft out for maintenance at any given time by three fourths.· He expects the Fed to cut rates a number of times in the coming months.
· Some big firms have cut the pay of senior executives in a move to impress on humbler employees that times are tough.
· But the staffing has been cut by twelve percent over the last three years.· The maximum rate for individuals was cut from 50 percent to 28 percent.· Supplies of liquefied gas fell 20 percent in June and exports were to be cut by 60 percent in the third quarter.· The battle escalated recently when United Airlines announced it would cut commissions 20 percent, from 10 to 8 percent.· Cereal prices would be cut by 35 percent, beef and butter by 15 percent and milk by 10 percent.· Its budget has been cut by 40 percent from its fiscal 1995 level, resulting in staff firings and program reorganizations.· Lead, mercury, cadmium and dioxin levels were to be cut by 70 percent by 1995.· Imagine what anyone would feel if they were getting their salary cut by 85 percent.
· One would stand on a chair and cut a piece off at mealtimes.· Remove rabbit, separate meat from bones, discard bones, cut meat into bite-sized pieces and set aside.· Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the dragon?· And the brilliant green broccoli, cooked al dente and cut into small pieces, makes eating with chopsticks manageable.· Both cut to pieces anything animal in their path, and both have acquired a mystique of terror in their own land.· Simon ducked his head, cut a piece of ravioli in half with his fork and put it in his mouth.· Each body had been cut into seven pieces and the parts put into ten bags.· The slabs are then cut into pieces and rinsed.
· Fielding is already making plans to cut one or two of the smaller guys out of the action.· Citicorp also announced plans to cut costs by eliminating 7, 500 jobs.· The state government has begun a new purge, with plans to cut demand by imposing a surcharge.· PacTel already is in the middle of a multiyear plan to cut its workforce by 10, 000.· But Mr Clinton will win plaudits from most economists if he carries through plans to cut the budget deficit.· Wells fired 1, 750 employees on April 1 and announced plans to cut its workforce by 7, 200 this year.
· But by giving the Government 60 days to cut the price of petrol they have focused ministers' attentions on the issue.· At the same time, competition increased from rivals charging lower prices, forcing Motorola to cut its own prices.· Ladbrokes cut his price from 12-1 to half those odds for Ascot's Krug Trophy.· Investment is being cut back, and prices are falling.· Asda said it had cut prices by up to 50 percent on more than 1,500 lines.· Does the employer absorb the costs and cut profits or raise prices?· They say it's great and say other's should cut their prices.
· Mr Greenspan is famously hard to interpret, and the motivation for his rate cut will no doubt remain unclear for now.· Tax bases were broadened; marginal rates were cut.· Corporate tax rates have been cut, too.· And the Bundesbank is starting to bolster the hopes rates will be cut.· Belt-tightening would allow the debt ratio to fall faster or income-tax rates to be cut.· The birth rate will only be cut, however, if the health prospects of poor families are improved.· There is now talk of an interest rate cut some time this week.
· He would cut the ribbon on many of the new towers.· The college's oldest student, Edgar Pryce, 84, of Newton Aycliffe, cut a ribbon to launch the celebrations.· A former state senator cut the ribbon to reopen the place.· She knew it would give a nasty sting, but it wouldn't cut her flesh to ribbons.· He hugged hundreds of babies, shook thousands of hands and cut ribbons at new universities, high-tech factories and a hospital.· And as he cut the ribbon there would sometimes be tears in his eyes.
· The conference also approved resolutions to cut class sizes and protect teachers from undue stress.· These are sold in very thin sheets that can be cut to the desired size, filled, sealed and boiled.· Buying new glass and having it cut to size can be prohibitively expensive for the home tank builder.· It was now to be cut down to approximate size.· The board is then cut to size and screwed on to the battens.· To cut you down to size.· For example, competition could cut the size of phone bills and end the imposition of unreasonable bank charges on small businesses.· How can Republicans be angry because Clinton has cut the size of government?
· Deftly, he cut four thick slices from the granary loaf, then began his search for the cheese.· Peel the ginger, slice thinly with the grain, and cut the slices lengthwise into thin shreds.· Very slowly the boy cut himself another slice and began to eat it.· The lettuce was cut up into slices and had a mustard with small teeth inside it.· Knedliky, when it arrived, was nothing more sinister than dumplings cut into half-inch-thick slices.· With a sharp knife, cut dough intoinch slices.· Unmould the stuffing, cut it into slices and serve with the duck.· To fry, cut intoinch slices.
· The state also plans to cut supplies to urban consumers by half.· In Maharashtra, for example, the government cuts off supplies to parts of the state once a week.· Mr Mobutu had cut the supply route after a dispute with Mr Savimbi.· Most main roads were cut, creating supply problems.· It said it would cut the power supply to the national grid if its demands were not met.· Sales agents acting on behalf of manufacturers, are vigilant in preventing retailers from selling at lower prices by threatening to cut future supplies.· Don't tread around bushes to firm them, this will cut off the oxygen supply to the roots.· It would help, he says, if the United States cut military supplies to those commanders making money out of heroin.
· Corporate tax rates have been cut, too.· And remember that Al Gore, a Tennessean, backed tax cuts last year.· How will widening the 10p tax band be made to look like a tax cut for everybody?· He said the increase might force cuts in prisons and higher education and prevent any tax cut this year.· This, in effect, is a tax cut for banks.· At the same time the general corporate tax rate was cut from 46 to its present 34 percent.· To raise the money, the government has increased taxes and cut subsidies.
· She'd bought a lawn edger sharp as a razor, sharp enough to cut your throat with.· Press reports said the attackers cut the throats of some of the children.· In the end Wormtongue is fed up with being beaten so he cuts Saruman's throat to free himself.· These men cut throats and ventilated people with arrows as easily as skinning rabbits.· He had forced his way into her room and cut her throat with a 12 inch knife.· If she cut her legs she might cut your throat.· If you weren't, I'd have cut your throat months ago.· Combination, conspiracy, and cut throat competition are all means to the end of reducing competition and escaping its regulatory powers.
· He cut his teeth at places like Claridges; the Carlton, Cannes.· There was considerable sniping from the Congress, particularly from the staffers who cut their eye teeth on Centralism principles.· The entrepreneurial owner cut his teeth on a Schweizer 300 which he still owns.· Sutton and Packford both cut their teeth on the old hot-metal newspaper production process.· She cut her sporting teeth in the marketing department at Sheffield Wednesday.
· But every time I wanted a piece of wood, I had to cut down a tree.· It could cut a tree in half if it was two or three football fields away.· When we got to Donoghue's Cross the road was cut and trees knocked.· At 500 feet I crossed a swath cut through the trees that formed the northern perimeter of the camp.· Male speaker Neolithic man would have used an axe to cut the trees.· Paul cut the trees and Babe hauled them.· I looked up and saw again the arrow cut into the tree.· Instead, here the loggers had come in and simply cut the biggest trees, leaving the rest.
VERB· The next thing Paige became aware of was some one trying to cut her in two.· Or Republicans could try to cut a deal with congressional Democrats in the hope that Mr Clinton would come aboard later.· As they try to cut stocks, this is likely to make a big dent in orders to manufacturing industry and importers.· They also revealed that employers were trying to cut costs on essential precautions such as vaccination and protective equipment and clothing.· To try to cut down on internecine warfare, Mr Florio oversaw annual meetings at which he encouraged publishers to work together.· If you find it difficult to stop drinking altogether, try to cut down as much as possible.· Banks are trying to cut costs to generate money to write off their bad loans.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► cut somebody in► cut something ↔ off► cut something ↔ off► cut somebody ↔ off► cut somebody ↔ off► cut something ↔ out► cut something ↔ out► cut something ↔ out► cut something ↔ out► cut something ↔ out► cut somebody ↔ out► cut something ↔ out► cut somebody out► cut something ↔ up► cut somebody/something ↔ up► cut somebody ↔ up► cut in line► cut the ...► cut a fine/strange etc figure► cut the ground from under somebody’s feet► cut no ice/not cut much ice► cut your coat according to your cloth► cut it/things fine► you could cut the atmosphere with a knife► cut something ↔ back► cut something ↔ down► cut somebody ↔ down► cut something ↔ downPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be badly cut up► cut it/things fine► fresh-made/fresh-cut/fresh-grated etc► have your hair cut/your house painted etc► you could cut the atmosphere/air/tension with a knife► cut somebody short► to cut a long story short► swingeing cuts
- I don't know what happened - we just got cut off.
- But my time on the Internet can range from only a few minutes to several hours before I get cut off.
- Hi I was looking for Carolyn I think I got cut off.
- Accessible only by air, the town is cut off from the rest of the country.
- His main source of strength was cut off as was their mutual ability to deal realistically with the problems.
- I am cut off at the waist for ever.
- If he did, and the news reached the States, the money would be cut off immediately.
- Sometimes the sea is so rough that the islands are cut off from the mainland for weeks at a time.
- The consequences of this dependence were seen when the flow was cut off so abruptly after 1982.
- We appear to be cut off and the look of the whole area is old fashioned.
- When the tops of the posts are cut off, they will be level with the tops of the beams.
- But, says the bank, countries that have cut themselves off from the global economy have slipped behind.
- I have been so hungry that I have cut the blood off from crackers and eaten them.
- I slid Lewis's helmet on and cut myself off from the world.
- It turned the party in on itself and cut it off from the wider society.
- The denial of tenderness cuts them off from communication with wives and children.
- The inadequacy of communications cut Nice off from its hinterland, and condemned the entire county to poverty.
- Yet these four were all we had to cut us off from the rest of the hall.
- You cut yourself off from other people and from your true feelings.
- If you love him, ask him to stay. Otherwise you'll be cutting off your nose to spite your face.
- Rusty, cut it out, I'm trying to study in here.
- As for refined sugar - cut it out, as much as you can.
- Come on, kid, cut that out.
- I liked that picture so Marie let me cut it out and stick it on the wall.
- My colleague saw it and cut it out for me.
- My mom cut it out and gave it to me.
- Once the design has been traced, you must then cut it out very carefully with a very sharp knife.
- You got ta cut that out.
- You shouldn't cut it out completely.
- Sam is still a life guard - he's just not cut out for a nine-to-five job.
- And her work would be cut out for her.
- But he can cut up rough and turn a bit nasty if he's got a mind to.
- Grateful Dead guitar guru Jerry Garcia may be dead, but he can still cut a deal.
- Or Republicans could try to cut a deal with congressional Democrats in the hope that Mr Clinton would come aboard later.
- The critics were not proposing to cut a deal with Hussein.
- The message is that the government will cut a deal with any threatened industry willing to pay through the nose.
- The president and Congress cut a deal on a balanced budget that exempts military spending from any cuts.
- When they let me speak, I cut a deal.
- Which trainees had cut deals for themselves?
- Why not cut a deal, before it was too late?
- Battaglia set it up so that whenever Anna needed something for college, a trustee would cut a check.
- Cut, people! That's a wrap!
- She started cutting classes and fighting with her teachers and parents.
- But Democratic legislators say the tax cut would cut school funding by more than $ 3 billion.
- The conference also approved resolutions to cut class sizes and protect teachers from undue stress.
- He cut his teeth at places like Claridges; the Carlton, Cannes.
- Sutton and Packford both cut their teeth on the old hot-metal newspaper production process.
- The entrepreneurial owner cut his teeth on a Schweizer 300 which he still owns.
- I want something deeper than the stuff you usually do for me, so don't look for ways to cut corners.
- If I cut corners, I have something left on Saturday to go shopping with.
- If it's rough, the manufacturer has cut corners by not sealing the back edge.
- Men working on the site complained of pressure to cut corners to save time on the delayed project.
- Operators who cut corners will get a licence for only 12 years.
- People cut corners, creating new tracks and damaging the land.
- His death at the age of 38 cut short a brilliant career.
- The ten-day mission was cut short when one of the shuttle's navigation devices failed.
- I tried to explain but she cut me short.
- I was halfway through my explanation when Walter cut me short.
- I saw Josie today - she must still be angry with me because she cut me dead.
- Where he used to cut them dead, he now helps them on with their coats.
- At that point they just wanted to cut their losses and get out of the business.
- As for Richard, take my advice and cut your losses.
- Be honest with yourself and cut your losses quickly.
- Cawthorne cuts his losses and goes somewhere else.
- I hope Wilko cuts his losses with our Brian and then goes out to look for a decent striker.
- Once he learned to ride his gains and cut his losses, he never looked back.
- One solution was to cut their losses and sell to television.
- Try the risky, potentially spectacular shot, or cut his losses and play safe?
- Usually the wisest thing to do is to cut your losses early on.
- Anything would have been better than this ice-cold contempt that cut her to the bone.
- His mockery, which he meant as love, frightened and cut her to the bone.
- It had a lethal edge now which cut her to the bone.
- Son, you really cut down to the quick.
- That's probably why she sent him - she knew it would cut him to the quick.
- The answer cut him to the quick.
- These icy cold droplets seemed to cut through to the bone as if to punish him for the way he was.
- In business meetings, Richardson likes to cut to the chase.
- It would be silly to give up your job now -- you'd just be cutting your own throat.
- You would be cutting your own throat by refusing to accept their generous offer.
- To cut our own throats so thoroughly and so hopelessly would require colossal stupidity.
- It cuts both ways to both parties.
- The company will probably discover, to its chagrin, that it cuts both ways.
- When our album Cuts Both Ways was released in 1989, I couldn't believe how successful it was.
- We sensed that Borden could cut and run at any moment.
- Its three big domestic rivals do not intend to cut and run either.
- My hands felt clammy, the usual signs of old Shallot beginning to wonder whether it is time to cut and run.
- No way do you feel the urge to cut and run before suffering the onslaught of hypothermia.
- Potential victims never cut and run.
- So they cut and run, on matters of supposed high principle.
- Walker Stamp & Seal was one of the companies forced to decide whether it would cut and run or stay the course.
- Before it could, I cut the cord and took it into the ante-room.
- Boys in particular need to cut the umbilical cord.
- She would cut the cord that bound her to them cleanly and irrevocably.
- Athletes who can't cut the mustard don't make the team.
- When a director reaches a certain age, he just can't cut the mustard anymore.
- I was a waitress in a bar and he was one of my customers, and that, to cut a long story short, is how we met.
- Most of the kids who start here are young and haven't worked before. Some just can't cut it.
- Players who can't cut it soon realize it and quit.
- We could make a lot of excuses, but excuses won't cut it.
- Lightly trim the grass using a sharp mower if the surface is looking rough, but do not cut it short.
- So why not cut it down like they do?
- Unemployment is cutting a wide swathe through the West.
- They cut a swathe through the massed black-clad warriors, and then turning swiftly trampled back over their disorganized ranks.
- The team wants to cut UCLA down to size.
- History thus cuts man down to size by reminding him of his origins: its characteristic insight is hindsight.
- Josh would soon cut Hank down to size.
- To cut you down to size.
- When the time came, he would cut him down to size.
- The company laid off employees and cut expenses to the bone.
- Anything would have been better than this ice-cold contempt that cut her to the bone.
- His mockery, which he meant as love, frightened and cut her to the bone.
- It had a lethal edge now which cut her to the bone.
- Oh, Peggy, to hear you say that ... that you're lonely, cuts me to the bone.
- These icy cold droplets seemed to cut through to the bone as if to punish him for the way he was.
- One airline was accused of cutting corners on safety.
- The agency accused the airline of cutting corners on safety.
- I want something deeper than the stuff you usually do for me, so don't look for ways to cut corners.
- If I cut corners, I have something left on Saturday to go shopping with.
- If it's rough, the manufacturer has cut corners by not sealing the back edge.
- Men working on the site complained of pressure to cut corners to save time on the delayed project.
- Operators who cut corners will get a licence for only 12 years.
- People cut corners, creating new tracks and damaging the land.
- If we cut the corner too tight, the trailer will hit the fence.
- I want something deeper than the stuff you usually do for me, so don't look for ways to cut corners.
- If I cut corners, I have something left on Saturday to go shopping with.
- If it's rough, the manufacturer has cut corners by not sealing the back edge.
- Men working on the site complained of pressure to cut corners to save time on the delayed project.
- Operators who cut corners will get a licence for only 12 years.
- People cut corners, creating new tracks and damaging the land.
- Amazingly, he accomplished that while dancing on the cutting edge.
- As president of a modeling agency, Page Parkes follows the cutting edge.
- But the cutting edge doesn't come cheap.
- In fact, this white-owned company was often on the cutting edge of new directions.
- Settlement houses and settlement house workers were at the cutting edge of social change.
- The decade's retreat from the cutting edge is certainly in evidence.
- Assistant Editor, Hellena Barnes cut a dash with her scissors.
- He cut a dashing figure in his black-leather jacket and blue jeans.
- Tall, dark, handsome and eloquent, our hero cuts a dashing figure in the little city with big ambitions.
- They were able to take a high line, look impressive, cut a dash - on the cheap.
- A similar attempt to cut the Gordian knot of Chapter 4 also proves to be fallacious.
- If Gorbachev expects to untie the Gordian knot, he has over-estimated his powers.
- I'm ready to cut loose and enjoy the weekend.
- And knowing that, I wondered how much Ellie would ever cut loose of Michael.
- Both times Francis cut loose with stinging criticism of his team's play.
- But when Mike Mannion cut loose the home side collapsed to 127 all out.
- I felt like I had been cut loose.
- Many were cut loose and left to fend for themselves in the job-poor wilderness.
- Perhaps I do have to cut loose.
- The stars floated free like buoys cut loose on a dark sea.
- They should be demanding that the settlers be cut loose.
- It was whispered, Patsy said, that he couldn't cut the mustard.
- That wouldn't cut the mustard without new technology.
- Son, you really cut down to the quick.
- That's probably why she sent him - she knew it would cut him to the quick.
- The answer cut him to the quick.
- Her feet were cut to ribbons on the rocks.
- And his restless nature rendered him an artist whose greatness frequently was cut short by his lack of focus.
- Freire's experiment was cut short by a military coup, so it is difficult to judge the results.
- Further discussion is cut short by a bump that interposes a few bodies between us.
- He was missing two front teeth, and his hair was cut short in a burr.
- Hugh McPherson, alleges his Army career was cut short in retaliation for his thorough pursuit of the events.
- It printed prose and verse in broadside and chapbook form till its activities were cut short by the War.
- Then their wedding night in a luxury hotel was cut short at 6am - because of a fire alert.
- Hey, cut me some slack, man, I'm only a few bucks short.
- She played the fish, gave it some slack and let it run till it hesitated, then slowly drew it back.
- The fish must have come forward to give the line some slack.
- They cut a swathe through the massed black-clad warriors, and then turning swiftly trampled back over their disorganized ranks.
- To cut our own throats so thoroughly and so hopelessly would require colossal stupidity.
- Election monitors will have their work cut out.
- So you have your work cut out for you.
- The home team has not beaten the Scarlets for some dozen matches and should still have their work cut out to win.
- They have their work cut out adapting themselves to it, and it to themselves.
- They have their work cut out for them.
- We have our work cut out for us.
- Whoever takes on the trout farm will have their work cut out.
WORD FAMILYnouncutcuttingcutterverbcutundercutadjectivecutting
1reduce [transitive] to reduce the amount of something: They’re introducing CCTV cameras in an attempt to cut street crime in the area. You need to cut the amount of fat and sugar in your diet. Scientists are warning that unless carbon emissions are cut, we could be heading for an environmental catastrophe. Seven hundred jobs will be lost in order to cut costs and boost profits. The major aviation companies need to cut prices if they are to compete with budget airlines.cut something by £1 million/$5 billion/half etc The welfare budget has been cut by $56 billion.cut something off something A new direct service will cut two hours off the flying time between London and Seoul. Staffing levels had already been cut to the bone (=reduced to the lowest level possible).► see thesaurus at reduce2divide something with a knife, scissors etc [intransitive, transitive] to divide something or separate something from its main part, using scissors, a knife etc: Do you want me to cut the cake? The telephone wires had been cut minutes before the assault.cut something with something Jane cut the cord with a knife.cut somebody something Can you cut me a piece of bread, please?cut along/across/round etc Using a pair of scissors, cut carefully along the dotted lines.cut through We’ll need a saw that will cut through metal.cut something in half/in two Cut the orange in half.cut something into slices/chunks/pieces etc (=make something into a particular shape by cutting) Cut the carrots into thin strips.cut something to size/length (=cut something so that it is the size you need) The curtain pole can be cut to length. → cut out, cut up3make something shorter with a knife etc [transitive] to make something shorter with a knife, scissors etc, especially in order to make it neater: For reasons of hygiene, we had to cut our fingernails really short.cut the lawn/grass/hedge etc From outside came the sound of someone cutting the hedge.have/get your hair cut It’s about time you got your hair cut.4remove parts from film etc [transitive] to remove parts from a film, book, speech etc, for example because it is too long or might offend people: The original version was cut by more than 30 minutes.► see thesaurus at remove5make a hole/mark [intransitive, transitive] to make a hole or mark in the surface of something, or to open it using a sharp toolcut into The blade cut deep into the wood.cut something into something Strange letters had been cut into the stone. Cut a hole in the middle of the paper. Cut open the chillies and remove the seeds.6injure [transitive] to injure yourself on something sharp that breaks the skin and makes you bleedcut your finger/knee/hand etc I noticed he’d cut his finger quite badly.cut yourself (on something) Marcie said she’d cut herself on a broken glass. That knife’s extremely sharp! Mind you don’t cut yourself. On Eric’s chin was a scrap of cotton wool where he’d cut himself shaving. She fell and cut her head open.7make/form something by cutting [transitive] to make or form something from a solid piece of wood, metal etc using a sharp tool: I’ll get a spare key cut for you.cut something from something The chair had been cut from the trunk of a tree.8let somebody get free [transitive] to cut something such as metal or rope in order to let someone escape from where they are trappedcut somebody from something She had to be cut from the wreckage of her car. He was in the vehicle for an hour before he was cut free.9tool/material [intransitive] if a tool cuts well, badly etc, it cuts things well or badly etc: professional quality tools that cut efficiently and smoothly10clothes [transitive] if a piece of clothing is cut in a particular way, that is the way it is designed and made: The T-shirt is cut fairly low at the neck.GRAMMAR Cut is usually passive in this meaning.11on computer [intransitive, transitive] to remove something from a document or file on a computer: To cut text, press Control + C. Cut and paste the picture into a new file (=remove it and then make it appear in a new file).12go a quick way [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to get to somewhere by a quicker and more direct way than the usual waycut through/down/across etc I usually cut through the car park to get to work. Let’s cut across the field.13divide an area [intransitive, transitive] to divide an area into two or more partscut something in/into something The river cuts the whole region in two.cut through The new road will cut through a conservation area.14playing cards [intransitive, transitive] to divide a pack of cards into two: First cut the pack, and then deal the cards15music [transitive] to produce a CD, song etc for people to buy: The band cut their first single in 2001.16crops [transitive] to take the top part off crops such as wheat before gathering them17cut a deal to make a business deal: A French company has reportedly cut a deal to produce software for government agencies.18cut (somebody) a check American English informal to write a check for a particular amount of money and give it to someone: When the damage assessor called, he cut a check for $139.19cut! spoken said by the director of a film to tell people to stop acting, filming etc20film a)[transitive] to put the parts of a film together so that they make a continuous story, and get rid of the parts you do not want b)[intransitive always + adverb/preposition] in a film, if the camera cuts away or cuts to a different scene, the scene on the screen changes to a different one: At the crucial moment, the camera cuts away and we don't see the murder. The shark is shown moving through the water and then we cut to a shot of the beach.21 cut in line American English to unfairly go in front of other people who are waiting to do something22 cut class/school American English informal to deliberately not go to a class that you should go to: She started cutting classes.23cut your teeth (on something) to get your first experience of doing something and learn the basic skills: Both reporters cut their journalistic teeth on the same provincial newspaper.24cut corners to do something in a way that saves time, effort, or money, but that also results in it not being done properly: There’s a temptation to cut corners when you’re pushed for time, but it’s not worth it.25cut something short to stop doing something earlier than you planned: The band has cut short its US concert tour. Her athletic career was cut short by a leg injury.26cut somebody short to stop someone from finishing what they wanted to say: I tried to explain, but he cut me short.27cut the ... spoken an impolite way of telling someone to stop doing something because it is annoying you: Cut the sarcasm, Jane, and tell me what really happened! Cut the crap (=stop saying something that is not true), I saw his car outside your house!28cut somebody dead to deliberately ignore someone when you meet them: I saw Ian in town but he cut me dead.29cut your losses to stop doing something that is failing, so that you do not waste any more money, time, or effort: He decided to cut his losses and sell the business.30line [transitive] if a line cuts another line, they cross each other at a particular point31tooth [transitive] if a baby cuts a tooth, the tooth starts to grow32cut somebody to the quick/bone literary to upset someone very much by saying something cruel: His mockery frightened her and cut her to the bone.33cut to the chase informal to immediately start dealing with the most important part of something34 cut a fine/strange etc figure literary to have an impressive, strange etc appearance: Mason cuts a battered but defiant figure.35cut your own throat to behave in a way that will cause harm to yourself, especially because you are very offended or angry about something: He’d just be cutting his own throat if he left now.36(it) cuts both ways spoken used to say that something has two effects, especially a good effect and a bad one: The higher the interest rate, the greater the financial risk – which, of course, cuts both ways.37cut the ground from under somebody’s feet to make someone or their ideas seem less impressive by having better ideas yourself or doing something before they do38cut and run informal to avoid a difficult situation by leaving suddenly: Although the company has faced financial difficulties, they do not intend to cut and run.39cut no ice/not cut much ice if something cuts no ice with someone, it will not persuade them to change their opinion or decision: It’s unlikely that these arguments will cut much ice with Democrats.40cut the (umbilical) cord to stop being too dependent on someone, especially your parents41not cut the mustard informal to not be good enough: Other magazines have tried to copy the formula but have never quite cut the mustard.42drugs [transitive] to mix an illegal drug such as heroin with another substanceGRAMMAR Cut is often passive in this meaning.43cut your coat according to your cloth to spend only as much money as you can afford44to cut a long story short spoken used to say that you are only going to mention the main facts of something: To cut a long story short, he threw them out of the house.45cut it/things fine (also cut it close American English) to leave yourself just enough time to do something: Even in normal traffic, 20 minutes to get to the airport is cutting it fine.46not cut it informal to not be good enough to do something: Players who can’t cut it soon quit the team.47cut a swathe through something literary to cause a lot of damage in a place or among a group of people: A series of bribery scandals has cut a swathe through the government.48you could cut the atmosphere with a knife informal used to say that everyone in a place is very annoyed or angry with each other and this is very easy to noticeCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1nounscut costs (=reduce the amount you spend running a business, a home etc)· They cut costs by getting rid of staff.cut prices· Shops have been forced to cut their prices after very slow sales.cut taxes/rates· The government is expected to cut interest rates next month.cut spending/borrowing· In the 1990s, governments worldwide cut military spending.cut jobs· The bank announced that it was cutting 500 jobs.cut crime· Cameras have helped to cut crime in the town centre.adverbssharply/severely/drastically (=cut a lot)· Housing benefit was sharply cut for all but the poorest people.phrasescut something to the bone (=reduce it to the lowest level possible)· Funding for art and music in schools has been cut to the bone.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2phrasescut somebody a piece/slice of something· Shall I cut you a slice of cake?cut something in half/two (=into two pieces)· Cut the tomatoes in half.cut something into pieces/slices/chunks etc· Next cut the carrots into thin slices.cut something to size/length (=so that it is the size/length you need)· The place where I bought the wood cut it to size for me.adverbscut something open· Cut open the avocado and remove the stone.cut something lengthways (=cut it in the direction that is longest)· First cut the fish in half lengthways.cut something cleanly (=with no uneven edges)· Branches should be cut cleanly from the tree.THESAURUScut to divide something into two or more pieces, especially using a knife or scissors: · Do you want me to cut the cake?· He cut off the lower branches.snip to quickly cut something, especially using scissors: · I snipped the label off.· The hairdresser snipped away at her hair.slit to make a long narrow cut through something, especially using a knife: · He slit the envelope open with a penknife.· She slit through the plastic covering.slash to cut something quickly and violently with a knife, making a long thin cut: · Someone had slashed the tyres on his car.· He tried to slash his wrists.saw to cut wood, using a saw (=a tool with a row of sharp points): · Saw the wood to the correct length.chop to cut wood, vegetables, or meat into pieces: · Bill was outside chopping up firewood with an axe.· They chopped down the old tree.· finely chopped onionslice to cut bread, meat, or vegetables into thin pieces: · I’ll slice the cucumber.· Slice the bread thinly.dice to cut vegetables or meat into small square pieces: · First dice the apple into cubes.grate to cut cheese or a hard vegetable by rubbing it against a special tool: · Grate the cheese and sprinkle it over the vegetables.peel to cut the outside part off something such as a potato or apple: · I peeled the potatoes and put them in a saucepan.carve to cut thin pieces from a large piece of meat: · Uncle Ray carved the turkey.mow to cut the grass in a garden, park etc: · A gardener was mowing the lawn.trim (also clip) to cut a small amount off something, especially to make it look neater: · He was trimming his beard.· Trim the excess fat off the meat.cut across something phrasal verb if a problem or feeling cuts across different groups of people, they are all affected by it: Domestic violence seems to cut across most social divisions.cut something ↔ away phrasal verb to remove unwanted or unnecessary parts from something by cutting it: Cut away all the dead wood.cut back phrasal verb1to reduce the amount, size, cost etc of somethingcut back on Several major hospitals are cutting back on staff at the moment.cut something ↔ back Education spending cannot be cut back any further. Richer countries must do more to cut back carbon emissions. → cutback2cut something ↔ back to remove the top part of a plant in order to help it to grow: Cut back the shoots in spring to encourage bushier growth.3to eat, drink, or use less of something, especially in order to improve your healthcut back on Try to cut back on foods containing wheat and dairy products.cut down phrasal verb1reduce to reduce the amount of somethingcut something ↔ down Installing double-glazing will cut down the noise from traffic.cut down on By getting the design right, you can cut down on accidents.2eat/use less to eat, drink, or use less of something, especially in order to improve your health: I’ve always smoked, but I’m trying to cut down.cut down on Cut down on fatty foods if you want to lose weight.3tree cut something ↔ down to cut through the main part of a tree so that it falls on the ground4kill cut somebody ↔ down literary to kill or injure someone, especially in a battle: Hundreds of men were cut down by crossbow fire.5reduce length cut something ↔ down to reduce the length of something such as a piece of writing: Your essay’s too long – it needs cutting down a little.6cut somebody down to size to make someone realize that they are not as important, successful etc as they think they arecut in phrasal verb1interrupt to interrupt someone who is speaking by saying something: ‘What shall I do?’ Patrick cut in again.cut in on Sorry to cut in on you, but there are one or two things I don’t understand.2driving to suddenly drive in front of a moving car in a dangerous waycut in on She cut in on a red Ford, forcing the driver to brake heavily.3machine if a part of a machine cuts in, it starts to operate when it is needed: The safety device cuts in automatically.4include somebody cut somebody in informal to allow someone to take part in a plan or to make money from itcut in on Come on, Joey, you promised to cut me in on this one!cut somebody/something off phrasal verb1separate cut something ↔ off to separate something by cutting it away from the main part: One of his fingers was cut off in the accident.cut something off something Cut the fat off the meat.2stop supply cut something ↔ off to stop the supply of something such as electricity, gas, water etc: The gas had been cut off. The US has threatened to cut off economic and military aid.3get cut off to suddenly not be able to hear someone that you were speaking to on the telephone: I don’t know what happened – we just got cut off.4be cut off a)if a place is cut off, people cannot leave it or reach it: In winter, the town is often cut off by snow. b)to be a long way from other places and be difficult to get to: Accessible only by air, the town is cut off from the rest of the country. c)if someone is cut off, they are lonely and not able to meet many other people: Many older people feel cut off and isolated.5stop being friendly cut somebody ↔ off to stop having a friendly relationship with someone: Julia had been completely cut off by all her family and friends.cut yourself off (from somebody) After his wife died, he cut himself off completely from the rest of the world.6interrupt to interrupt someone and stop them from finishing what they were saying: Emma cut him off in mid-sentence.7prevent something cut somebody off from something to prevent someone from having something that they need or want: The project aims to ensure that poorer people are not cut off from the benefits of computer technology.8money/property to refuse to let someone receive your money or property, especially when you die: My parents threatened to cut me off without a penny if I married him.9driving cut somebody ↔ off American English to suddenly drive in front of a moving car in a dangerous way: A man in a station wagon cut me off on the freeway.10cut off your nose to spite your face to do something because you are angry, even though it will harm youcut out phrasal verb1remove something cut something ↔ out to remove something by cutting round it: The cancerous cells had to be cut out.cut out of Billy showed me the article he’d cut out of the magazine.2cut a shape cut something ↔ out to cut a shape from a piece of paper, cloth etc: The children were cutting out squares from the scraps of material.3stop something happening cut something ↔ out to stop something from happening or existing: The idea behind these forms is to cut out fraud. A catalytic converter will cut out 90% of carbon monoxide emissions.4stop doing/eating something cut something ↔ out to stop doing or eating something, especially because it might be bad for your health: The current advice to pregnant women is to cut out alcohol.5from writing cut something ↔ out to remove something from a piece of writing, especially because it might offend people: Cut out the bit about racial prejudice.6cut it/that out spoken used to tell someone to stop doing something because it is annoying you: Hey, you guys, cut it out – Mom’s trying to get some sleep.7not involve somebody cut somebody ↔ out to stop someone from doing something or being involved in something: The new rules will cut out 25% of people who were previously eligible to vote.8be cut out for something (also be cut out to be something) [usually in questions and negatives] to have the qualities that you need for a particular job or activity: In the end, I decided I wasn’t cut out for the army. Are you sure you’re really cut out to be a teacher?9engine if an engine or machine cuts out, it suddenly stops working: The engine cut out halfway across the lake.10light/view cut something ↔ out to prevent light, sound etc from reaching somewhere: You’ll need sunglasses that will cut out harmful UV rays from the sun.11cut somebody out to prevent someone from getting something, especially your money after your death: Em’s father decided to cut her out of his will. → have your work cut out at work2(16), → cut out the middleman at middlemancut through something phrasal verb1written to move or pass easily through water or air: The boat cut effortlessly through the water.2to quickly and easily deal with something that is confusing or difficult: You need someone to help you cut through all the irritating legal jargon.3literary if a sound cuts through silence or noise, it is heard because it is loud: A piercing shriek cut through the silence.cut up phrasal verb1cut into pieces cut something ↔ up to cut something into small pieces: Could you cut the pizza up, please?cut up into He cut the paper up into little pieces.2driving cut somebody/something ↔ up British English to suddenly drive in front of a moving vehicle in a dangerous way: Some idiot cut me up on the motorway.3behave badly American English informal to behave in a noisy or rude way4cut up rough British English informal to react in an angry or violent way: Careful how you approach him – he can cut up a bit rough if he’s got a mind to.5criticize cut somebody ↔ up informal to criticize someone in an unpleasant way → cut upcut1 verbcut2 noun
cutcut2 ●●● S2 W2 noun [countable] EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Cuts in the education budget have led to fewer teachers and larger classes.
- His hands were covered with cuts and scrapes.
- How much is my cut going to be?
- Investigators found that her cut of the profits amounted to more than 25%.
- It's a particularly tender cut of beef.
- Make the first cut fairly shallow, then push the saw deeper into the wood.
- Nurses are protesting about further pay cuts.
- Schools receive a 34% cut of the money the state lottery earns.
- Several passengers were treated for cuts and bruises.
- Some senators have called for huge tax cuts to stimulate the economy.
- Teachers are expecting further cuts next year.
- That's a very flattering cut.
- The censors insisted on several cuts.
- The distributors and the wholesalers all get their cut, and this is what pushes up the price.
- The emphasis on comfort has changed the cut of men's suits.
- The new management has promised that there will be no job cuts.
- The whole team agreed to take pay cuts, rather than see their colleagues lose their jobs.
- There are to be big cuts in the health budget next year.
- He knows the polls show voters would prefer smaller tax cuts.
- The cut should go to 1 / 4 inch from the other side of the card.
- The Kennedy and Reagan tax cuts came at a time when the economy was under-performing.
- These pointed fingers were adjusted to be my guide and, apart from the very ends of each cut, were quite reliable.
- They said the tax cut would reduce the amount of money flowing to schools.
THESAURUS
used when the number, amount, or level of something becomes less than it used to be: · There has been a significant decrease in the number of deaths from lung cancer.· a 5% decrease in housing prices
used when the price, amount, or level of something is made lower: · There will be further price reductions in the sales.· A small reduction in costs can mean a large increase in profits.
used when a government or company reduces the price, amount, or level of something: · a 1% cut in interest rates· tax cuts· It is possible that there will be further job cuts.
used when the number, amount, or level of something goes down, especially by a large amount: · The figures showed a sharp fall in industrial output.· There was a dramatic drop in temperature.
used when the number, amount, level, or standard of something goes down, especially gradually: · During the 1970s, there was a gradual decline in the birthrate.· a decline in educational standards
damage to part of your body caused by an accident or an attack: · The passengers were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
an injury, especially a deep cut in your skin made by a knife, bullet, or bomb: · He died of a gunshot wound to the head.
a small injury made when a sharp object cuts your skin: · Blood was running from a cut on his chin.
a dark mark on your skin that you get when you fall or get hit: · Jack often comes home from playing rugby covered in bruises.
a small injury that marks your skin or breaks the surface slightly: · She fell off her bike and got a few grazes on her legs and knees.
a long deep cut: · He had a deep gash across his forehead.
an area of skin that is swollen because you have hit it against something: · How did you get that bump on your head?
an injury to your ankle, wrist, knee etc, caused by suddenly twisting it: · It’s a slight sprain – you should rest your ankle for a week.
an injury to a muscle caused by stretching it or using it too much: · a muscle strain in his neck
a crack or broken part in a bone: · a hip fracture
Longman Language Activatorwith scissors, a knife, or a sharp object to divide something into two or more pieces, using a knife or scissors: · He cut the string and carefully unwrapped the parcel.cut something in two/cut something in half: · Mandy cut the paper in half and gave a piece to each child.cut something up/cut up something (=into several pieces): · Tommy sat on the floor, cutting up old magazines.cut something open/cut open something: · Rescue workers had to use special equipment to cut open the steel doors.
to cut something with scissors using quick small cuts: · She snipped the thread which held the two pieces of cloth together .
to make a long narrow cut through something, especially skin or cloth: · He killed the goat by slitting its throat.slit something open/slit open something: · Diane slit the envelope open with a knife.slit your wrists: · Graham slit his wrists in a suicide attempt.
to cut something quickly and violently with a knife, because you want to damage it or cause an injury : · The painting had been slashed with a knife.· Someone had slashed the tyres on Bayle's car.slash your wrists: · She slashed her wrists with a razor blade.
to push a knife into someone's body in order to kill or seriously injure them: · Betty Carroll was stabbed 61 times and left to die on the floor of her Escondido home.stab somebody in the heart/arm etc: · Luca stabbed her in the thigh with a breadknife.stab somebody to death (=kill someone by attacking them a knife): · Kitty Davison was found stabbed to death one night in 1997.
to cut something very roughly or violently: hack at something: · He picked up an axe and began hacking at the door.hack somebody to death: · All of the victims had been hacked to death.hack somebody/something to pieces: · The two women were hacked to pieces by their attackers.
to cut food · Do you want me to cut the cake?cut something into pieces/chunks · Cut the fish into four pieces and serve hot or warm.
to cut something such as vegetables or meat into small pieces when you are preparing a meal: · Chop two onions for the stew.· Elsa was in the kitchen chopping up vegetables.chop something into pieces/chunks/cubes: · Could you chop the eggplant into cubes for me?
to cut food such as bread, meat, or vegetables into thin flat pieces: · Wash and slice the mushrooms.
to cut a large piece of cooked meat into pieces: · You start carving while I fetch the vegetables.· Who's going to carve the turkey?
British /grind American to cut raw meat into very small pieces, usually in a machine: · Mince the meat and mix in the remaining ingredients.
to cut cheese or vegetables into small thin pieces by rubbing them against a metal surface with holes in it: · I always like to grate some cheese over the potatoes before serving them.
to cut food, especially vegetables with leaves, into long thin pieces: · Remove the outside leaves and shred the cabbage finely.
to cut food, especially raw vegetables, into small square pieces: · Dice the potatoes and cook them in salted water.
to cut part of your body, especially accidentally · She cut her hand trying to open a can of sardines.cut something on something · One of the children had cut her foot on some glass.cut yourself shaving · Phil cut himself shaving this morning.
to cut part of your body very slightly leaving a long very thin cut: · The cat scratched me while I was playing with her.· She found her friend, Felicia Moon, bruised and scratched after a fight with her husband.
to slightly break the surface of your skin by rubbing against something, for example when you fall on the ground: · Oliver fell down on the path and grazed his knee.· I wasn't really hurt - I scraped my elbows a bit, that's all.
a large, deep cut in someone's skin: · The accident left her with an ugly gash above the left eye.
to accidentally make a small cut in the surface of your skin: · I must have nicked myself when I was shaving this morning.
when a doctor or scientist makes a cut in someone's body to cut into someone's body, using a special knife, during a medical operation: · The surgeon began by making an incision about six inches long.
to cut a dead animal or person into pieces in order to study it: · The specimens were carefully dissected and examined under a microscope.
to cut someone's hair, beard, or fingernails · My sister usually cuts my hair.· I wish you wouldn't cut your fingernails in the living room.have your hair cut (=pay someone to cut it for you) · Beth's at the salon having her hair cut.
when someone cuts your hair: · Isn't it about time you had a haircut?
to cut the hair on your face or body so that your skin feels smooth: · Have you shaved today?· I didn't have time to shave my legs.shave off something/shave something off: · I wish he'd shave off that awful beard!
to cut a small amount off someone's hair or beard, so that it looks neater: · Could you just trim my hair at the back?
to cut wood, plants, or grass to make trees or bushes fall down by cutting them: cut/chop something down: · The tree was blocking the view from our window, and we asked a neighbour to chop it down.cut/chop down something: · Cutting down vast areas of the rainforests has created serious ecological problems.
to cut down trees, especially a large number of them, using special equipment: · 63 percent of trees felled in Guatemala are used for fuel.· More trees are being felled annually now than ever before.
to cut wood into pieces using an axe (=a tool with a long handle and a sharp blade): · Ivan spent the day chopping wood and sawing logs.chop something up/chop up something: · I chopped up the old fence and used it for firewood.
to cut grass or cut off leaves, in order to make a place or plant look tidy: · She had to stand on a ladder to cut the top of the hedge.cut the lawn/grass: · My dad used to cut the grass every Sunday morning.
to cut grass using a special machine, in order to make it look tidy: mow the lawn/the grass: · It took me two hours to mow the lawn.
to cut wood using a saw (=sharp tool that you push backwards and forwards across the surface of the wood): · We had to saw the wood to the right length, and then nail the pieces together.saw something up/saw up something (=into several pieces): · It took all morning to saw up the logs.
to cut off some of the branches of a tree or bush to make it grow better: · Miniature roses do not need much pruning and are ideal for planting in pots. · What's the best time of the year for pruning apple trees?
to cut small amounts off something, especially a bush, in order to make it have a neat shape or surface: · Do you think the hedge needs trimming?
to cut trees, plants etc by hitting them with a heavy knife or other sharp tool using short violent movements: hack at: · Robert was hacking at the base of the tree with an axe.hack your way through/hack a path through (=make a path by cutting down plants and trees): · They managed to hack their way through the jungle.
to remove something by cutting to cut part of something away from the rest of it: cut off something: · Cut off the stalks of the broccoli.cut something off: · She took the cheese and cut a big piece off.
to cut something off by hitting it hard or cutting it with a sharp tool: chop off something: · Chop off the tops of the carrots.chop something off: · Careful you don't chop your fingers off!
to quickly remove something using scissors: snip something off/snip off something: · Snip the ends of the beans off before you cook them.· After the plant finishes blooming, snip off the dead flowers.
to cut a part of something off, especially a branch of a tree: lop off something/lop something off: · Workmen have lopped off some of the branches in an effort to save the tree.
to cut off someone's arm, leg, or foot as a medical operation: · He damaged his leg so badly that it had to be amputated.
to cut off a part of someone's body in an accident or an attack: · The victim's head had been severed in the accident.
to remove someone's eyes with a pointed weapon or object: gouge somebody's eyes out/gouge out somebody's eyes: · McLaren accused Roberts of trying to gouge his eyes out during the fight.
to make a shape by cutting: cut something into a square/circle etc · First cut the paper into a triangle.cut out something/cut something out · Stella stood at the kitchen table, cutting out the pattern for a new dress.· The children drew Christmas trees on their pieces of paper and cut them out carefully.
to cut shapes out of solid wood or stone: · Michelangelo carved this figure from a single block of marble.
to cut a piece of wood into a particular shape by cutting off small pieces with a small knife : · He took out his penknife and began whittling a piece of wood.
when prices, numbers etc become less to become less: · Attendance at the school's basketball games has gone down significantly in the last few years.· I'm hoping the price will come down if I wait a while.
to become less, especially by a large amount: · Sales have fallen dramatically in Houston and Toronto.fall/drop to: · At night, the temperature drops to -20°C.fall/drop from something to something: · Profits fell from £98.5 million to £76 million.
to become less - used especially in writing about business or technical subjects: · Experts say that the time parents spend with their children is decreasing.decrease to: · The speed of rotation gradually decreases to zero.
a gradual decrease in the number or amount of something good or important so that the situation becomes worse: · Firms with large debts may not have the financial strength to survive a prolonged sales decline or a recession.decline in: · We can expect a further decline in job vacancies.
when a price, level etc is reduced - use this when something is reduced deliberately: · New production methods led to a cost reduction of about 50 percent.reduction in: · Cleaner fuel has contributed to a reduction in air pollution.· a reduction in working hours
a reduction in the amount or size of something made by a government or large organization - use this especially when talking about politics or business: cut in: · Cuts in the education budget have led to fewer teachers and larger classes.pay/job/tax cuts (=cuts in wages, number of jobs, or taxes): · The whole team agreed to take pay cuts, rather than see their colleagues lose their jobs.· Some senators have called for huge tax cuts to stimulate the economy.
to drop very rapidly and by a large amount: · As soon as the sun went down, the temperature plummeted.· The drought has caused the price of hay to soar, and the price of cattle has plummeted.plummet/plunge 20 degrees/thirty points etc: · The stock market plunged 30 points when the news was announced.
if a number or the amount of activity happening tapers off , it gradually decreases: · Towards sunset, the rain began to taper off.
if supplies or numbers of something dwindle , they gradually decrease: · The country's foreign currency reserves have dwindled over the past few years.dwindle to: · The original platoon of 30 men had dwindled to 12.
if a price or value slides it gradually decreases in a way that causes problems - used especially in news reports: · Prices will continue to slide unless production is reduced.· The dollar fell in late trading in New York yesterday and slid further this morning.
also nosedive informal if the price or value of something takes a nosedive , it becomes lower very quickly and causes problems. If an economy takes a nosedive it become worse very quickly: · Since January, sales of cars and trucks, including minivans, have nosedived.· Shares on the stock exchange took another nosedive Friday.
a reduction in number, prices, levels etc when a price, level etc is reduced - use this when something is reduced deliberately: · We offer a reduction for groups of 10 or more.reduction in: · Cleaner fuel has contributed to a reduction in air pollution.· a reduction in working hoursa reduction of £10/$5/5% etc (=a reduction by a particular amount): · There were reductions of up to 50% in some stores.a big/huge/massive reduction: · There has been a big reduction in the number of issues the president addresses in any given week.price reduction: · Several holiday firms are offering huge price reductions on winter holidays.
when something happens less than it used to: decrease in: · There has been a 15% decrease in violent crime (=it has gone down by 15%).a significant/marked decrease: · In the last five years there has been a significant decrease in the number of deaths from heart disease.
when a number or amount goes down suddenly or by a large amount: drop/fall in: · Charities have reported a 25% fall in donations during the past year.a sudden fall/drop: · Universities are reporting a sudden drop in the number of students studying science subjects.a sharp fall/drop: · This year we have seen a sharp fall in profits.
a reduction in the amount or size of something made by a government or large organization - use this especially for talking about politics or business: cut in: · Cuts in the education budget have led to fewer teachers and larger classes.a big/drastic cut: · There are to be big cuts in the health budget next year.pay/job/tax cuts (=cuts in wages, number of jobs, or taxes): · Nurses are protesting about further pay cuts.· The new management has promised that there will be no job cuts.
the part of something that someone gets or owns the part of something that one person gets or owns when something is shared between several people: · If your grandfather left any money, you will get your share.share of: · Wilson's share of the business is worth $500,000.share in: · An Australian businessman has bought a 10 percent share in the project.
the share of something, especially money, that has been officially given to a person or an organization: · The allocation for atomic research has been doubled.· Schools will be given cash allocations per student.· Special ticket allocations were made for members of the company and their guests.
informal someone's share of something, especially money: · How much is my cut going to be?· The distributors and the wholesalers all get their cut, and this is what pushes up the price.cut of: · Investigators found that her cut of the profits amounted to more than 25%.
a part of something that is divided into different parts, especially equal parts: · The money should be shared out in equal portions between all members of the family.· Most of the profit goes to the retailer; some goes to the middleman, and the remaining portion goes to the producer.portion of: · A major portion of the budget is spent on defence.
a share of something such as a company's profits or the sales of a product that someone wants to get, or believes they have a right to: · Since the company's announcement of record profits, workers are demanding a bigger slice of the cake.· By building cars in Britain, Toyota aim to win an even larger slice of the cake.
a large or important part of something that you own or pay for, especially when this involves some risk: stake in: · China has a major stake in the project.· She went into business by acquiring a stake in a copper mine in Australia.· The American investor boosted his stake in the company to 15%.
WORD SETSanorak, nounarm, nounascot, nounBabygro, nounbalaclava, nounbandanna, nounbaseball cap, nounbasque, nounbathing cap, nounbathing costume, nounbathing suit, nounbathing trunks, nounbathrobe, nounbath towel, nounbeachwear, nounbeading, nounbeanie, nounbearskin, nounbell-bottoms, nounbelt, nounbelted, adjectiveberet, nounbespoke, adjectivebib, nounbikini, nounblack-tie, adjectiveblazer, nounblouse, nounblue jeans, nounboa, nounbobble, nounbobble hat, nounbobby socks, nounbodice, nounbody, nounbody stocking, nounbody suit, nounboiler suit, nounbolero, nounbolo tie, nounbomber jacket, nounbonnet, nounboob tube, nounboot, nounbootee, nounbootlace, nounbottom, nounboxer shorts, nounbra, nounbraid, nounbrassiere, nounbreeches, nounbritches, nounbrogue, nounBurberry, business suit, nounbustle, nouncaftan, nouncagoule, nouncamiknickers, nouncamisole, nouncap, nouncape, nouncardigan, nouncare label, nouncarpet slipper, nouncassock, nouncast-offs, nouncasual, adjectivecat suit, nounchemise, nounchinos, nounchinstrap, nouncloak, nouncloche, nounclog, nouncloth cap, nouncoat, nouncoattails, nouncocked hat, nouncony, nouncoonskin, adjectivecope, nouncorset, nouncourt shoe, nouncouture, nouncowboy hat, nouncowl, nouncowl neck, nouncrew neck, nouncrinoline, nouncuff, nounculottes, nouncummerbund, nouncut, noundeck shoe, noundeerstalker, noundelicates, nounderby, noundicky, noundinner jacket, noundog collar, noundonkey jacket, noundouble-breasted, adjectivedoublet, noundrainpipe trousers, noundrawstring, noundress, noundressing gown, noundress shirt, noundress uniform, noundrip-dry, adjectivedry-clean, verbdry cleaner's, nounduffel coat, noundungarees, nounduster, nounearmuffs, nounelbow, nounensemble, nounespadrille, nounevening dress, nounfalsies, nounfashion, nounfashion show, nounfastener, nounfeather boa, nounfeathered, adjectivefez, nounfishnet stockings, nounfitting, nounfitting room, nounflannel, nounflannelette, nounflat, adjectiveflat cap, nounfleece, nounflip-flops, nounflipper, nounfloor-length, adjectiveflounce, nounflounced, adjectivefly, nounfootwear, nounformal, nounfox, nounfray, verbfrilly, adjectivefrock, nounfrock coat, nounfull, adjectivefull dress, nounfur, nounfuzz, noungabardine, noungaiter, noungaloshes, noungarment, noungarter, noungarter belt, noungather, verbgather, noungathering, noungauntlet, noungear, noungetup, noungirdle, nounglove, noungloved, adjectivegown, noungreatcoat, nounG-string, noungumboot, noungusset, noungym shoe, noungymslip, nounhaberdasher, nounhaberdashery, nounhalter, nounhand-me-down, nounhanger, nounhankie, nounhard-wearing, adjectivehat, nounhatpin, nounhatter, nounheadband, nounheaddress, nounheadscarf, nounhem, nounhem, verbhemline, nounhip pocket, nounhobnailed, adjectivehomburg, nounhooded, adjectivehook and eye, nounhose, nounhosiery, nounhot pants, nounhousecoat, nouninformal, adjectiveinsole, nouninstep, nouniron, nouniron, verbironing, nounjackboot, nounjacket, nounjammies, nounjeans, nounjerkin, nounjersey, nounJockey shorts, nounjockstrap, nounjodhpurs, nounjogging suit, nounjumper, nounjumpsuit, nounkaftan, nounkerchief, nounkhakis, nounkilt, nounkimono, nounknee breeches, nounknickerbockers, nounknickers, nounlace, nounlace-up, nounlapel, nounleg, nounleggings, nounleotard, nounlinen, nounloafer, nounloincloth, nounlong, adjectivelong johns, nounlounge suit, nounlow, adjectivelow-cut, adjectiveLycra, nounmac, nounmackintosh, nounmantle, nounmasquerade, nounmatinée jacket, nounmenswear, nounmilliner, nounmillinery, nounmini, nounminiskirt, nounmink, nounmitt, nounmitten, nounmob cap, nounmoccasin, nounmoleskin, nounmonogram, nounmoon boot, nounmorning coat, nounmorning dress, nounmorning suit, nounmourning, nounmuff, nounmuffler, nounmukluks, nounmule, nounmuu-muu, nounname-tape, nounnational costume, nounnational dress, nounneck, nounneckerchief, nounnecktie, nounnegligee, nounnightcap, nounnightclothes, nounnightdress, nounnightgown, nounnightie, nounnightshirt, nounnightwear, nounnon-iron, adjectiveoff-the-peg, adjectiveoilskin, nounone-piece, adjectiveopen, adjectiveopen-necked, adjectiveouterwear, nounoutfitter, nounoutsize, adjectiveoverall, nounovercoat, nounoverdressed, adjectiveovershoe, nounoxford, nounpadded, adjectivepanama hat, nounpanel, nounpantaloons, nounpanties, nounpants, nounpantyhose, nounparka, nounpatch, nounpatch, verbpatent leather, nounpeak, nounpencil skirt, nounpetticoat, nounpillbox, nounpinafore, nounpinny, nounpith helmet, nounpj's, nounplimsoll, nounplus fours, nounpolo neck, nounpolo shirt, nounponcho, nounpre-shrunk, adjectivepull-on, adjectivepullover, nounputtee, nounpyjamas, nounraglan, adjectiveraincoat, nounrainproof, adjectiveready-to-wear, adjectiveregalia, nounrevealing, adjectiverobe, nounrobed, adjectiverubber boot, nounruff, nounruffle, nounrun, verbrun, nounsable, nounsaddle shoe, nounsailor suit, nounsandal, nounsari, nounsarong, nounsartorial, adjectivesash, nounsatchel, nounscarf, nounschool tie, nounscoop neck, nounseamed, adjectiveseamless, adjectiveseparates, nounshawl, nounshell suit, nounshirt, nounshirtfront, nounshirt tail, nounshoe, nounshoehorn, nounshoelace, nounshoemaker, nounshoestring, nounshoulder, nounshoulder strap, nounshowerproof, adjectivesinglet, nounskin-tight, adjectiveskirt, nounskull cap, nounslicker, nounslingback, nounslip, nounslip-ons, nounslipper, nounsmock, nounsmoking jacket, nounsmuggling, nounsnap, nounsnappy, adjectivesneaker, nounsnowshoe, nounsnug, adjectivesock, nounsole, nounsole, verbsombrero, nounsou'wester, nounsox, nounsporran, nounsport coat, nounsport jacket, nounsports coat, nounsport shirt, nounsports jacket, nounsports shirt, nounsporty, adjectivestay, nounStetson, nounstiletto, nounstocking, nounstole, nounstone-washed, adjectivestraitjacket, nounstrip, nounstud, nounsuit, nounsundress, nounsun hat, nounsurplice, nounsuspender belt, nounsweatband, nounsweater, nounsweatpants, nounsweatshirt, nounsweat suit, nounswimming costume, nounswimming trunks, nounswimsuit, nounswimwear, nountailcoat, nountank top, nountee shirt, nounten-gallon hat, nounTerylene, nounthermal, adjectivethong, nounthree-piece suit, nountights, nountoga, nountop, nountopcoat, nountopee, nountop hat, nountopi, nountopper, nountracksuit, nountrain, nountrench coat, nountrilby, nountrousers, nountrouser suit, nounT-shirt, nountube top, nountuck, verbtuck, nountunic, nounturban, nounturtleneck, nountutu, nountuxedo, nountweed, nountwinset, nountwo-piece, adjectiveunderclothes, noununderdressed, adjectiveundergarment, noununderpants, nounundershirt, noununderwear, nounundies, noununiform, noununiformed, adjectiveunion suit, nounupper, nounveil, nounvelour, nounvelvet, nounvisor, nounvoluminous, adjectivewaist, nounwaistband, nounwaistcoat, nounwaistline, nounwardrobe, nounwashing, nounwaterproof, nounwear, nounwedding dress, nounwellie, nounwellington, nounwelly, nounwet-look, adjectivewet suit, nounwimple, nounwind breaker, nounwing collar, nounwingtip, nounwool, nounwoollen, adjectivewoollens, nounwoolly, adjectivewoolly, nounworsted, nounwrap, nounwrap-around, adjectivewrinkle, nounwristband, nounY-fronts, nounyoke, nounzoot suit, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1verbs You’re 25 years old, and you still haven’t cut the apron strings. The team are relying on Gregg to give them a cutting edge. drastic cuts in government spending He tried to cut in line (=go in front of other people who are waiting). Buy direct from the manufacturer and cut out the middleman (=avoid using a middleman). She cut the cake into four equal pieces. Chop the potato into bite-sized pieces. a young singer who was tragically cut off in her prime (=died while she was in her prime) The new rules should help cut the red tape for farmers. Brian had cut himself shaving. Carlos decided to take a short-cut home. We cut a swathe through the dense undergrowth. They want to make sweeping changes to education policies. Teenage boys especially feel a need to cut the umbilical cord tying them to their mothers.
· The country needs to make cuts in the carbon dioxide it produces.
· A major engineering company has announced big job cuts.
(=agree to have something reduced)· Some employees were forced to take pay cuts.
NOUN + cut· The president announced tax cuts.
· Millions of workers face pay cuts.
· There have been falling sales and job cuts at the newspaper.
· His proposals could involve spending cuts of up to £12 billion.
· The company announced big price cuts on all its computers.
· Further proposals for defence cuts were drawn up.
adjectives (=big reductions)· Deep cuts were made in research spending.
(=big and sudden reductions)· He resigned over drastic cuts in the education budget.
Meaning 2verbs· He had a cut on his forehead.
· I fell and got a bad cut on my head.
adjectives· It’s only a small cut.
· Two passengers had to be treated for minor cuts.
(=not deep)· I’m fine - just a few superficial cuts.
(=wide or deep and bleeding a lot)· The cut looked quite bad.· How did you get that nasty cut?
· She fell and got a deep cut on her leg.
phrases (=cuts and dark marks on the skin)· He escaped the crash with just a few cuts and bruises.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=stop giving aid)· The US has threatened to cut off aid to the region.· Conditons deteriorated further as western aid was withdrawn.
You’re 25 years old, and you still haven’t cut the apron strings.· We need to find a way to cut our fuel bill.
· Could you cut some bread?
(=reductions in the amount of money that is available)· The department has suffered severe budget cuts.
(=very strong competition)· The cutthroat competition in the airline industry kept prices low for many years.
(=reduce it)· a plan to cut energy consumption by 40%
(=not go all around the edge of a corner)· I crashed into a motorcyclist who had cut the corner.
(=reduce it)· The government has promised to cut the cost of medical care.
(=used to tell someone to stop saying things that are completely wrong)· Just cut the crap and tell me what really happened.
(=the date etc when you stop doing something) The cut-off date for registration is July 2.
The cut-off date for registration is July 2. The team are relying on Gregg to give them a cutting edge. informal (=agree a deal, especially when it is difficult or you have to accept some things you would rather not accept)· In the end, they had to cut a deal with the Communists.
· We must drastically cut our budget deficit to sustain economic growth.
drastic cuts in government spending (=stop the supply of electricity)· You risk having your electricity cut off if you fail to pay the bill.
· an agreement to cut emissions of gases which contribute to global warming
(=stops suddenly)· The engine keeps cutting out.
· Their policies are designed to cut public expenditure.
· There has been a marked reduction in expenditure on some social and welfare services.
· Make cut flowers last longer by changing the water in the vase.
· The forest was cut down to make way for housing.
· The grass in the back garden needs cutting.
(also get your hair cut etc) (=by a hairdresser)· I need to get my hair cut.
· My mum always cuts my hair.
(=into two equal pieces)· He tore the paper in half.
(=make something 50% smaller or 50% less)· The company has reduced the number of staff by half.
(=morally good and never doing anything bad)· The recent scandal has damaged his clean-cut image.
· New investment will reduce imports and save jobs.
· The factory is closing, with 600 job losses.
(=make one)· Could you get a key cut for me?
He tried to cut in line (=go in front of other people who are waiting). (=a joint of meat taken from a particular part of an animal)· Cheaper cuts of meat can be tough.
Buy direct from the manufacturer and cut out the middleman (=avoid using a middleman).· You should cut your nails more often!
(=ought to be washed, cleaned etc) His hair needs a wash.
His hair needs a wash. (=a story cut out of a newspaper)· I found some old newspaper cuttings of the band's first concert in Liverpool.
· Staff were asked to take a 10% pay cut.
She cut the cake into four equal pieces. Chop the potato into bite-sized pieces.· New measures are needed to reduce pollution from cars.
· The company recently cut the price of its best-selling car.
· Holiday sales were down, even with drastic price cuts.
a young singer who was tragically cut off in her prime (=died while she was in her prime)· The Halifax Building Society is to cut its mortgage rate by 0.7 percent.
The new rules should help cut the red tape for farmers. (=when a government or a company reduces the size or amount of something)· The president is likely to approve a new round of cuts in military forces.
(=reduce someone’s salary)· They will cut salaries before they cut jobs.
(=a decrease in someone’s salary)· The workforce agreed to take salary cuts.
(=a reduction in salary)· He couldn’t afford to take a drop in salary.
· These measures could sharply reduce pollution from road traffic.
Brian had cut himself shaving. Carlos decided to take a short-cut home.· He cut another slice of bread.
· Cut the orange into thin slices.
· The alternative is to cut spending.
We cut a swathe through the dense undergrowth. They want to make sweeping changes to education policies.· There’s no point promising to cut taxes if you can’t afford it.
· He believes that big tax cuts will encourage economic growth.
(=become trapped as the sea rises)· Two anglers had to be rescued after getting cut off by the tide.
· He said that he planned to sever his ties with the club.
(=have one of your first teeth growing)· Poor little Patrick was cutting another tooth and we had hardly had any sleep.
· The congestion charge did cut road traffic in central London.
Teenage boys especially feel a need to cut the umbilical cord tying them to their mothers.· The government is spending more on projects to cut unemployment.
· Those who kept their jobs had to take large wage cuts.
(=change your will so that someone is no longer given anything when you die)· His father cut her out of his will.
· A local carpenter cut the wood to size.
· She had to be cut free from the wreckage by firemen.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· After all, President Reagan easily won support for his big tax cut in 1981 from a Democratic-controlled Congress.· But the men at City Hall, sniffing at anything too ideological, insist that big cuts are just not practical.· Voters, in fact, are not clamoring for big tax cuts, tempting as they may be.· Critics say the Dole team did not pay enough attention to ways to pay for the big tax cuts.· With the wind dead on their stern, he had changed the genoa for a much bigger and lighter cut.
· Don't shorten the stems, just tidy them to a clean cut, and do the same with any broken roots.· Where Clinton is rugged and earthy, Gore is clean cut and preppy.· The clean, neat cuts were delivered with a skill Terry would never learn to master.· That was something I could understand, and approve of - to make a clean cut.· I drew it downwards with a clean cut.· He had a few days growth of stubble but something about him was fundamentally clean cut.· They give a clean cut, keeping plants healthy and strong.· More teeth give a cleaner cut, and are better for cutting across the grain if a really smooth finish is required.
· It often happens that the greater the area of choice, the less clear cut are the guidelines.· Peace is an ambiguous concept in the Middle East, whereas war is clear cut.· However, the courts did not recognise a clear cut distinction between the two classes of case.· There are no clear cut threshold speeds at which damage can be guaranteed to occur.· This example is far less clear cut.· While the evidence linking increased cell proliferation and colorectal cancer is good, the converse is less clear cut.· But the Corrado's victory is far from being so clear cut in other areas.· The second half was much of the same with neither side being able to carve out clear cut chances.
· A security guard suffered serious head injuries, while another person suffered deep cuts from flying glass.· The agriculture budget may take one of the deepest cuts.· A deep cut, but wider than any knife.· She has a deep cut in the palm of her right hand.· Yeltsin urged even deeper cuts, to perhaps 2,500 warheads each.· The alternative would be deep spending cuts or tax increases -- or some combination of the two.· The framework of the agreement allows new targets for periods beyond 2010, leaving scope for further deep cuts in the future.· Some of the deepest cuts are in the catch-all category called domestic discretionary spending.
· The drastic cuts come a week after Aldershot were wound up and rekindle fears for several Fourth Division clubs facing closure.· He is in favor of drastic cuts in social spending in order to balance the budget.· The council would spend £10m more than Governments limits, putting off the need for drastic cuts.· Jude Medical and Medtronic gained as federal budget talks stalled, making drastic cuts in the Medicare health insurance program less likely.· The liberal democrats and labour say their budget was the only way to prevent drastic cuts.· C., making drastic cuts in Medicare reimbursement unlikely for now.· In practice it has not proved easy to achieve the drastic cuts in spending that are wanted.· California in 1990 enacted a plan requiring drastic cuts in air pollution from automobiles.
· Although bank officials are seeking to limit the damage, the news will add to pressure for further cuts in borrowing costs.· The former Republican senator from Maine brings priorities that spell hope for companies worried about further cuts to military spending.· A further cut is planned for 1993-94.· They will block further tax cuts, except modest breaks for small businesses to ease the burden of a minimum wage increase.· Those cuts have been very painful. Further cuts would be cutting into the bone and not the flesh.· The framework of the agreement allows new targets for periods beyond 2010, leaving scope for further deep cuts in the future.· There were constant announcements of further cuts and closures, an unending stream of private message and public ambiguity.· However, we seem more intent on using further tax cuts to prolong the party.
· The largest cuts - which were proposed for the North Sea cod and haddock - amounted to only 15 percent.· Buy the largest roast or cut of ham, or bird that your budget permits and that you can serve out satisfactorily.· Both parties would make dangerously large cuts in this nation's defence.· While rates on Treasury securities plunged last year, the Federal Reserve resisted calls for large cuts in the rates it controls.· Even more important, the sale of public assets made possible large cuts in taxation in the 1985 and 1986 budgets.· She said that large cuts were made in regional selective assistance in the early 1980s.
· The lower cut must be perfectly flat and angled to match the oblique cut on the rootstock.
· Access to Gas Services Installation Short cut course to gas services engineering for central heating and related areas.· Only the air was tainted by the fumes from the slow-moving cars that used the street as a short cut.· Oncoming bikers seemed intent on taking the short cut up and over the Aussie's Nissan.· Under pressure, an advice worker may be tempted to take short cuts.· She had got stuck getting out of Belfast, and got lost trying to take a short cut round the traffic jam.· The Result: This shorter, blunt cut gives the appearance of thick, healthy hair.· They had orders to take the short cut and risk the mines.
· Around curves, use small cuts with the tips of the scissors.· He knows the polls show voters would prefer smaller tax cuts.· He could find only a small cut and bruise on the back of his head.· Selling a smaller tax cut could be a hard sell to a large block of conservative lawmakers.· It also contains calendula extract to stimulate the healing of small cuts and scratches.· The carcass is small so that cuts appear to be miniatures of beef cuts.· Make a small cut and then try to pull the gall to pieces bit by bit.· Wilson got a tax cut of nearly $ 1 billion, despite a desire by Democrats for a smaller cut.
· The criteria for budget deficits and public debt require spending cuts.· Future economic restructuring is likely to include public spending cuts which may also limit further educational expansion.· And now Lord Chancellor Lord MacKay has warned that spending cuts are likely to severely restrict the amount of aid available.· That means spending cuts as the Tories fight inflation outside the Euro money system.· Mr Breaux would find some spending cuts but partially replace the energy tax by increasing the tax on petrol.· What a contrast with the pathetic attempts by Mr Major and Norman Lamont to blame others for their coming public spending cuts.· Larger-than-expected spending cuts are being imposed to keep the franc stable.· Read in studio Forty jobs could go because of council spending cuts.
NOUN· Michele Hanson examines the problems imposed by budget cuts and staff shortages, and looks at the need for long-term strategies.· They were turned away. Budget cuts had limited the patient load, Marsha was told.· The proposed budget cuts would have affected housing subsidies, pensions, family payments and civil service pay.· Even in cities which generally fared well in the face of federal budget cuts, the impacts in these areas were significant.· And Britain's military capability-marginally useful to us during the Gulf war-has vanished with successive budget cuts.· But there was a budget cut after a year, and I was laid off.· The work of regulatory agencies was also undermined by budget cuts and a concerted unwillingness to enforce existing regulations.· Does she order across-the-board budget cuts to bring the budget into compliance with the amendment?
· The three boys should have been at school with their ragged clothes, crew cuts and sullen eyes.· Haldeman is the one with the square head and crew cut, right?· His hair was fair and it had been curly before he'd had it given a crew cut.· Despite his militant crew cut, Bellows looks stylishly moody and vulnerable, and Sheridan could pass for a vanilla float.· He was a stocky boy of middle height, with blue eyes, a bristling crew cut, and red cheeks.· An elderly colonel with a steel gray crew cut stood to one side, ready to intervene if the questioning got difficult.· He sported the same crew cut he wore during his playing days.· He also had a fresh crew cut, which added to the un-real appearance of the scene.
· Well, of course, she could get her hair cut and buy new clothes.· The profession usually requires short, neat hair cuts and trim beards if any, for men.· She's had her hair cut, but it's Annie all right.· Changing your hair cut and/or colour can be a great looks-booster.· She had had her hair cut.· She looked different with her hair cut and it made them feel shy.· Would you have your hair cut?· De Levantiére has had her hair cut and it makes her look very sophisticated.
· But, it hopes the latest job cuts will be the last.· The job cuts bring the total across all BAe firms to 43,000 since 1990.· It is too early to say exactly how many job cuts each agency would absorb, defense officials said.· The job cuts are planned because the government ordered the Council to cut spending by ten million pounds.· In December, about 935 job cuts were announced by Illinois-based corporations, according to the firm.· The job cuts have been forced on the church by the severity of the recession.· As all the Bells prepare for the next wave of job cuts, some have more work ahead of them than others.
· With inflation running at 3.6 percent, that means they are being asked to accept an effective pay cut of 2.1 percent.· But after getting released and not being active and taking a pay cut, it takes a toll.· A third took rises below five percent, 14 percent got no rise and one percent took a pay cut.· Worse, he had to take a thirty percent pay cut for working twice as many hours.· And he's furious: Male speaker Dentists won't be willing to put up with such a pay cut.· Both he and Roberts, scrappy, even a bit shrewish here, took huge pay cuts to play opposite each other.· The pay cuts were highlighted by researchers for for the Halifax Building Society who quizzed 4,000 youngsters aged 12 to 16.· If Annan is sincere about reform, he should set an example by taking a pay cut.
· A drop in voltage can be more serious than a power cut.· For example, the specialist Sun Frost range keeps food fresh for weeks rather than days if a power cut occurs.· Energy crisis Periodic power cuts were imposed from Oct. 29 after electricity supplies from the Soviet Union were suddenly suspended.· There are power cuts almost every evening.· Pristina remains broken: there are power cuts, buildings gape open, and rubbish is uncollected.· On enquiry they were told that the other had been lent to a local restaurant when it suffered a power cut.· It was Madame in the doorway, loudly disputing the accuracy of the information and the need for a power cut.· The couple may simply require light because a fuse has blown or a power cut has occurred.
· They embarked on a desperate round of price cuts.· After months of losing traffic, Viacom decided to match the price cuts.· Telegraph proprietor Conrad Black has estimated the price cut will cost £1.5m a month.· We just hope tens of thousands of other Star subscribers can take advantage of this major price cut, too.· They have told me about the effect that price cuts can have on the dairy sector.· Prodigy is trying a price cut of its own.· But recent price cuts have sparked sales and debts have halved to Pounds 66m.· If price cuts have to be paid to all buyers this reduces their profitability as well as increasing their detectability.
· This is a budget which may well produce an interest rate cut.· Investors and analysts took that to mean a rate cut before mid-year is out of the question.· Talk of rate cuts was also good for the banks.· To ward off a rate cut was one reason to soldier.· Here perhaps lies the likeliest explanation for Mr Greenspan's sudden rate cut.
· Al Gore's presidential campaign repeatedly referred to his plans for tax credits as targeted tax cuts.· So do differences over such hot-button issues as tax cuts, welfare, education and the environment.· Impending tax cuts will help too.· Everything should be on the table, including the tax cut.· Gone are Tory promises of across-the-board tax cuts or scaremongering about Labour's tax bombshells.· The promise of massive tax cuts is a political staple that has always played well in the past.· He has also made modest tax cuts of his own in New York City.· Many suspect that retroactive tax cuts could be ditched.
VERB· The survey was taken before the Republican candidate announced his tax cut plan on Monday.
· He said he expected most of the cuts to fall on Merseyside's Halewood plant.· Another political factor may also play a large role in 1995: An expected capital-gains tax cut may finally come to pass.· After the breakdown of talks in London he said he expected most of the cuts to fall on Merseyside's Halewood plant.· All but two of the 28 are counting on another discount rate cut, with eight expecting the cut this quarter.· Just one expected a cut this week.· The plan is also expected to call for cuts in fighter jet programs and two rounds of base closings.· I expect the new commission cuts will put a number of bad and so-so travel agents out of business.· Only 1 of the 28 market observers polled said they expect a cut in rates tomorrow.
· That of Lancashire, which has supported much diocesan work in the past, is facing very serious cuts.· Similarly, the army, when faced with a budget cut, never points the finger at desk-bound lieutenant colonels.
· The government has made minor cuts on welfare and some changes of a largely symbolic nature.· You just feel it when you make a wrong cut.· The only place where we could make cuts, without resetting the entire piece, was in the last paragraph.· As he struggled to make the cut in Majorca, his lips were dry and his forehead was perspiring.· To repair the defect, first use a sharp knife to make two cuts at right angles across the blister.· They have different styles: Warren runs downhill, looking to make cuts, while Broussard is more explosive.· Again, always use a very sharp blade to make any cuts.· Marinades make less-tender cuts, such as chuck steaks, grill-worthy.
· He was twice runner-up and missed only one cut.· He finished Friday with bogeys on No. 16 and No. 18 and missed the cut by five strokes.· Jack won his tournament and we missed the cut at Muirfield Village.· He missed the cut by eight strokes, collected his six-figure appearance fee, and split for a month at home.· After that we never missed a cut together.· For instance, Norman finished fourth his first time here, and Nicklaus missed the cut.· He was twice runner-up and missed only two cuts, one of them last year.
· If this figure proves wildly optimistic, Bill Clinton will either have to propose more cuts or spend more money.· For example, administration officials highlighted Sanchez Elementary in Austin, Texas as a potential victim of the proposed cuts.· His proposed tax cuts are warmed-over Reaganomics that could saddle our children with an ever-increasing national debt.· President Clinton is also a supporter, having criticized the proposed cut in a letter to lawmakers.· About 75 percent of all the proposed spending cuts would take effect after 2000· But the current proposed cuts mean that, nationwide, about 9, 700 schools will loose all Title I support.· Dole aides have said the candidate may propose broader income tax cuts later this year as part of his long-range economic strategy.· Instead, Dole proposed a 15 percent cut in income tax rates.
· At this point Wilson's chancellor would have been outlining spending cuts, not increases.· Republican voters say they want low taxes and prudent spending cuts.· All the weapons in the Treasury's armoury - spending cuts, higher interest rates and higher taxes - are politically unpalatable.· But smaller deficits brought on either by spending cuts or higher taxes reduce purchasing power.· Requiring budget balance would short-circuit this stabilizing effect by mandating either tax increases or spending cuts just when the economy was weak.· The alternative would be deep spending cuts or tax increases -- or some combination of the two.· The president and Congress cut a deal on a balanced budget that exempts military spending from any cuts.· President Reagan agreed to accept tax increases immediately in exchange for spending cuts to be named later.
· Thomas Cunningham suffered a cut to the scalp which required hospital treatment.· One woman suffered cuts and scratches.· A security guard suffered serious head injuries, while another person suffered deep cuts from flying glass.· Tien has suffered budget cuts throughout his six-year tenure.· Again, it was the middle management ranks that suffered the severest cuts.· She suffered many deep cuts and X-rays were still being taken to determine other injuries, Lacoste said.
· Oncoming bikers seemed intent on taking the short cut up and over the Aussie's Nissan.· Learning to bat takes a few cuts and the pitching and fielding controls are simple.· Cars daren't risk taking the short cut.· We took the left-hand cut, which runs into the Thames at an angle.· The new chief executive acknowledged he would be taking a pay cut.· Under pressure, an advice worker may be tempted to take short cuts.· But after getting released and not being active and taking a pay cut, it takes a toll.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be badly cut up► cut it/things fine► fresh-made/fresh-cut/fresh-grated etc► have your hair cut/your house painted etc► you could cut the atmosphere/air/tension with a knife► cut somebody short► to cut a long story short► swingeing cuts
- Away from the cut and thrust of soccer management, Bates knew how to keep second wife Pam in her place.
- It has all the cut and thrust of an ideological conflict.
- The lasagna at Bella Mia is a cut above other restaurants' versions.
- All were a cut above the Polynesian houses.
- Apparently this feller was a cut above the average.
- Cutting edge: A small Stockton hair salon is proving it is a cut above the rest in competitions.
- Morton was a cut above the average nob, that was for sure.
- She had quickly realized that he was a cut above the other men at the table.
- The company laid off employees and cut expenses to the bone.
- Anything would have been better than this ice-cold contempt that cut her to the bone.
- His mockery, which he meant as love, frightened and cut her to the bone.
- It had a lethal edge now which cut her to the bone.
- Oh, Peggy, to hear you say that ... that you're lonely, cuts me to the bone.
- These icy cold droplets seemed to cut through to the bone as if to punish him for the way he was.
- One airline was accused of cutting corners on safety.
- The agency accused the airline of cutting corners on safety.
- I want something deeper than the stuff you usually do for me, so don't look for ways to cut corners.
- If I cut corners, I have something left on Saturday to go shopping with.
- If it's rough, the manufacturer has cut corners by not sealing the back edge.
- Men working on the site complained of pressure to cut corners to save time on the delayed project.
- Operators who cut corners will get a licence for only 12 years.
- People cut corners, creating new tracks and damaging the land.
- If we cut the corner too tight, the trailer will hit the fence.
- I want something deeper than the stuff you usually do for me, so don't look for ways to cut corners.
- If I cut corners, I have something left on Saturday to go shopping with.
- If it's rough, the manufacturer has cut corners by not sealing the back edge.
- Men working on the site complained of pressure to cut corners to save time on the delayed project.
- Operators who cut corners will get a licence for only 12 years.
- People cut corners, creating new tracks and damaging the land.
- Amazingly, he accomplished that while dancing on the cutting edge.
- As president of a modeling agency, Page Parkes follows the cutting edge.
- But the cutting edge doesn't come cheap.
- In fact, this white-owned company was often on the cutting edge of new directions.
- Settlement houses and settlement house workers were at the cutting edge of social change.
- The decade's retreat from the cutting edge is certainly in evidence.
- Assistant Editor, Hellena Barnes cut a dash with her scissors.
- He cut a dashing figure in his black-leather jacket and blue jeans.
- Tall, dark, handsome and eloquent, our hero cuts a dashing figure in the little city with big ambitions.
- They were able to take a high line, look impressive, cut a dash - on the cheap.
- A similar attempt to cut the Gordian knot of Chapter 4 also proves to be fallacious.
- If Gorbachev expects to untie the Gordian knot, he has over-estimated his powers.
- I'm ready to cut loose and enjoy the weekend.
- And knowing that, I wondered how much Ellie would ever cut loose of Michael.
- Both times Francis cut loose with stinging criticism of his team's play.
- But when Mike Mannion cut loose the home side collapsed to 127 all out.
- I felt like I had been cut loose.
- Many were cut loose and left to fend for themselves in the job-poor wilderness.
- Perhaps I do have to cut loose.
- The stars floated free like buoys cut loose on a dark sea.
- They should be demanding that the settlers be cut loose.
- It was whispered, Patsy said, that he couldn't cut the mustard.
- That wouldn't cut the mustard without new technology.
- Son, you really cut down to the quick.
- That's probably why she sent him - she knew it would cut him to the quick.
- The answer cut him to the quick.
- Her feet were cut to ribbons on the rocks.
- And his restless nature rendered him an artist whose greatness frequently was cut short by his lack of focus.
- Freire's experiment was cut short by a military coup, so it is difficult to judge the results.
- Further discussion is cut short by a bump that interposes a few bodies between us.
- He was missing two front teeth, and his hair was cut short in a burr.
- Hugh McPherson, alleges his Army career was cut short in retaliation for his thorough pursuit of the events.
- It printed prose and verse in broadside and chapbook form till its activities were cut short by the War.
- Then their wedding night in a luxury hotel was cut short at 6am - because of a fire alert.
- Hey, cut me some slack, man, I'm only a few bucks short.
- She played the fish, gave it some slack and let it run till it hesitated, then slowly drew it back.
- The fish must have come forward to give the line some slack.
- They cut a swathe through the massed black-clad warriors, and then turning swiftly trampled back over their disorganized ranks.
- To cut our own throats so thoroughly and so hopelessly would require colossal stupidity.
- Election monitors will have their work cut out.
- So you have your work cut out for you.
- The home team has not beaten the Scarlets for some dozen matches and should still have their work cut out to win.
- They have their work cut out adapting themselves to it, and it to themselves.
- They have their work cut out for them.
- We have our work cut out for us.
- Whoever takes on the trout farm will have their work cut out.
WORD FAMILYnouncutcuttingcutterverbcutundercutadjectivecutting
1reduction [usually plural] a reduction in the size or amount of something, especially the amount of money that is spent by a government or company: There will be cuts across all levels of the company.cut in Cuts in public spending mean that fewer people can go on to higher education. The decision to make cuts in health care provision has been widely criticized.tax/pay/job etc cuts A shorter working week will mean pay cuts for millions of workers. The building plans could be hit by possible spending cuts.cut of A cut of 1% in interest rates was announced yesterday.2skin wound a wound that is caused when something sharp cuts your skin: That’s quite a nasty cut – you ought to get it seen to by a doctor. The driver escaped with minor cuts and bruises.► see thesaurus at injury3hole/mark a narrow hole or mark in the surface of something, made by a sharp tool or object: Make a small cut in the paper.4hair [usually singular] a)an act of cutting someone’s hair SYN haircut: How much do they charge for a cut and blow-dry? b)the style in which your hair is cut SYN haircut: a short stylish cut5clothes [usually singular] the style in which clothes have been made: I could tell by the cut of his suit that he wasn’t a poor man.6share of something [usually singular] someone’s share of something, especially moneycut of She was determined to claim her cut of the winnings.7removal from film an act of removing a part from a film, play, piece of writing etc, or a part that has been removed8film [usually singular] the process of putting together the different parts of a film and removing the parts that will not be shown: Spielberg himself oversaw the final cut.9music one of the songs or pieces of music on an album, CD etc10the cut and thrust of something the exciting but sometimes difficult or unpleasant way that something is done: the cut and thrust of political debate11be a cut above somebody/something to be much better than someone else or something else: The movie is a cut above recent thrillers. He proved himself to be a cut above the rest.12meat a piece of meat that has been cut to a size suitable for cooking or eating: Long slow cooking is more suitable for cheaper cuts of meat.13road American English a road that has been made through a hill → cold cuts, power cut, short cutCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1verbsmake cuts· The country needs to make cuts in the carbon dioxide it produces.announce cuts· A major engineering company has announced big job cuts.take/accept cuts (=agree to have something reduced)· Some employees were forced to take pay cuts.NOUN + cuttax cuts· The president announced tax cuts.pay/wage cuts· Millions of workers face pay cuts.job/staff cuts· There have been falling sales and job cuts at the newspaper.spending cuts· His proposals could involve spending cuts of up to £12 billion.price cuts· The company announced big price cuts on all its computers.defence cuts· Further proposals for defence cuts were drawn up.adjectivesdeep/severe cuts (=big reductions)· Deep cuts were made in research spending.drastic/sharp cuts (=big and sudden reductions)· He resigned over drastic cuts in the education budget.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2verbshave a cut on something· He had a cut on his forehead.get a cut (on something)· I fell and got a bad cut on my head.adjectivessmall/slight· It’s only a small cut.minor· Two passengers had to be treated for minor cuts.superficial (=not deep)· I’m fine - just a few superficial cuts.bad/nasty (=wide or deep and bleeding a lot)· The cut looked quite bad.· How did you get that nasty cut?deep· She fell and got a deep cut on her leg.phrasescuts and bruises (=cuts and dark marks on the skin)· He escaped the crash with just a few cuts and bruises.- London Library
- London Marathon
- London Palladium
- London Philharmonic Orchestra
- London Regional Transport
- London School of Economics
- London Season
- London Symphony Orchestra
- London Transport
- London University
- London weighting
- London Zoo
- lone
- loneliness
- lonely
- lonely hearts
- zither
- Z-list
- Z-lister
- zodiac
- Zodiac Killer
- Zola, Emile
- zombie
- zonal
- zone