All phrasal verbs
cut
/kʌt/8 phrasal verbsThe plain verb means to divide with a blade, or to reduce.
CUT is severance and reduction. Cut down and cut back both mean reduce and are close to interchangeable, though cut down on is the natural choice with a consumable (sugar, coffee) and cut back with a budget or an activity.
Cut off (disconnect, isolate) and cut out (remove, or stop doing) are further apart than they look.
CUT ends in a post-vocalic /t/, so it flaps: cut off is “cu-doff”, cut it out is “cu-di-dout”.
Side by side
Every CUT phrasal verb, with the one line that keeps it apart from its siblings. Tap any one to open it.
| Phrasal verb | Means | How to remember it |
|---|---|---|
| cut downSeparable2 meanings | reduce the amount; fell a tree | DOWN = the quantity drops. |
| cut down onInseparable | consume less of something | Add ON and it takes a consumable object. |
| cut backNo object | reduce spending or activity | BACK = pull the level in. |
| cut offSeparable3 meanings | disconnect; interrupt; isolate | OFF = the connection is severed. |
| cut outSeparable3 meanings | remove a section; stop doing something; (engine) stop | OUT = it is removed from the whole. |
| cut inNo object2 meanings | interrupt a conversation; move in front of a car | IN = you insert yourself. |
| cut upSeparable | slice into many pieces | UP = completely, into parts. |
| cut throughInseparable2 meanings | take a shortcut; penetrate | THROUGH = straight across. |