Word of the Day: Cut
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 cantaloupe. (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)
Essential English Dictionary
Visit the Popular English Words Beginning with C page to see the list of all words starting with letter C. For seeing the HiCafe dictionary, visit the Popular English Words with Meaning page.
