v.
(cutting; past and past part. cut)
- make an opening, incision, or wound in (something) with a sharp tool or object.
- remove (something) from something larger by using a sharp implement.
- divide into pieces with a knife or other sharp implement.
▸
(cut something down)
cause something to fall by cutting through at the base.
- make or form by using a sharp tool to remove material.
▸
[
often as adj. cut]
make or design (a garment) in a particular way:
an impeccably cut suit.
- reduce the length of (something) by using a sharp implement.
- reduce the amount or quantity of:
the new system will cut costs.
▸Computing delete (part of a text).
▸end or interrupt the provision of (a supply).
▸
N. Amer. absent oneself deliberately from:
Rod was cutting class.
- (of a line) cross or intersect (another line).
- stop filming or recording.
▸move to another shot in a film.
▸make (a film) into a coherent whole by removing or reordering parts.
- make (a sound recording).
- divide a pack of playing cards by lifting a portion from the top.
- strike or kick (a ball) quickly and abruptly.
▸Golf slice (the ball).
▸Cricket hit (the ball) to the off side with the bat held almost horizontally; play such a stroke against (the bowler).
▸Cricket (of the ball) turn sharply on pitching.
- mix (an illegal drug) with another substance:
speed cut with rat poison.
-
(cut it)
N. Amer. informal come up to expectations.
[shortened form of the idiom cut the mustard.]
n.
- an act of cutting.
▸a reduction in amount or size.
- a result of cutting:
a cut on his jaw.
▸a piece of meat cut from a carcass.
▸informal a share of profits.
▸a version of a film after editing
- the way or style in which a garment or the hair is cut:
the elegant cut of his jacket.
Phrase
Phrase verbal
- cut in
- interrupt.
- pull in too closely in front of another vehicle.
- (of a motor or other device) begin operating, especially when triggered automatically.
- cut someone in
informal include someone in a deal and give them a share of the profits. - cut someone off
- break the connection during a telephone call.
- deprive someone of a supply of power, water, etc.
- disinherit someone.
- cut something off
block the usual means of access to a place. - cut out
- (of an engine) suddenly stop operating.
- N. Amer. informal leave quickly.
- cut someone out
exclude someone. - cut up
N. Amer. informal behave in a mischievous or unruly manner. - cut someone up
- informal (of a driver) overtake someone and pull in too closely.
- N. Amer. informal criticize someone severely.
Etymology
ME (prob. existing, although not recorded, in OE); prob. of Gmc origin.