The word "cut" is used when something is made smaller or shorter with a knife or scissors, or you’ll hear "cut" used when a person or thing is dropped from a group. This word can be used as a verb or as a noun.
Todd was cut from the basketball team because he isn’t as good as the other players. (past tense, passive voice)
He didn’t make the final cut. (singular noun)
The government cut some money out of the budget. (past tense)
There were budget cuts. (plural noun)
Sarah is cutting up a canteloupe. (present continuous tense)
Her hand has a small cut on it. (singular noun)
A professional hair stylist cuts my hair. (present tense)
She always gives me a nice (hair) cut. (noun)
Notice that when "cut" is used as a noun, it refers to a reduction.
The company had to make some cuts in spending.
Budget cuts resulted in less spending.
That was a big cut. (That was a big reduction.)
We cut out eating at restaurants in order to save money.
The company that Harold works for made across-the-board job cuts.
There are many idioms and expressions that use the word "cut."
Hey, cut it out! (Stop doing that.)
That guy just cut in line. (He rudely stepped in line before others who were waiting before him.)
This situation is not cut and dry. (It’s not obvious or simple.)
Those two kids are cut from the same cloth. (They behave the same way or are related.)
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cut you off. (cut one off = interrupt while speaking or on the phone)
You can’t wear cut offs in the pool. (cut offs = blue jeans or pants cut into shorts)
Okay, cut to the chase. (get to the main point)
This work doesn’t cut the mustard. (The quality of the work isn’t ver good.)
Hey, who cut the cheese? (Who farted?)
Insults cut the man down to size. (cut one down to size = to reduce a person’s stature through criticism)
Teachers often cut and paste assignments created by other teachers.
The director cut from camera one to camera two. (The director went from one camera to another while filming or taping.)
Cut! (stop filming or taping)
To see more examples, click here for the Purple Level.
