cut off
B1Neutral to informal. Common in everyday speech, news, and business contexts.
Definition
Meaning
to separate or disconnect something physically or abstractly; to interrupt or stop something abruptly.
To isolate or deprive someone of resources, communication, or social contact; to disinherit; to terminate a supply or service.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a phrasal verb. Can be transitive (cut someone/something off) or intransitive/passive (be/get cut off). Often implies an abrupt or involuntary action.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Cut off' is equally common in both varieties. In US English, 'cut off' is frequently used in traffic contexts ('cut someone off' = pull in front dangerously). The noun 'cutoff' (one word) for shorts or a point of termination is slightly more common in US English.
Connotations
Generally neutral, but can be negative when referring to isolation or abrupt termination. In UK English, 'cut off' in a social sense might imply deliberate exclusion.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[someone] cut off [something/someone][something/someone] is/get cut off from [something][someone] cut [someone] off (mid-sentence)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cut off your nose to spite your face”
- “cut off at the knees”
- “cut off without a penny”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The bank will cut off credit to customers with poor repayment history.
Academic
The researcher was cut off from the primary sources necessary for the study.
Everyday
Sorry, you cut off there for a second—the signal is bad.
Technical
The safety mechanism cuts off the power if a surge is detected.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The village was cut off by the snow for three days.
- He got cut off during the call to his mum.
- The government threatened to cut off aid.
American English
- A truck cut me off on the highway.
- They cut off our water for non-payment.
- Her father cut her off financially after the argument.
adverb
British English
- He stopped cut-off when he saw her expression.
American English
- The conversation ended cut-off, leaving everyone confused.
adjective
British English
- We took a cutoff path through the woods.
- The cutoff date for applications is Friday.
- He was wearing cutoff jeans.
American English
- We took a cutoff through the woods to save time.
- The cutoff point for the study was December 31st.
- He wore cutoffs to the beach.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please cut off a small piece of bread for me.
- The phone call was cut off.
- The storm cut off power to the whole town.
- She felt cut off from her friends when she moved.
- The rebel forces were cut off from their supply lines.
- He was cut off in his prime, his career ending too soon.
- The will stipulated that any contesting beneficiary would be cut off without a cent.
- Geopolitical shifts have effectively cut the region off from global trade networks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine using SCISSORS to CUT a string OFF from a ball—it's now separate.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONNECTION IS A THREAD/LINK (to cut it off is to sever that thread).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating literally as 'резать выключить'. Use 'отрезать', 'отключить', 'прервать', or 'изолировать' depending on context.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'cut of' (incorrect preposition).
- Confusing 'cut off' with 'cut out' (which implies removal to create a shape).
Practice
Quiz
In a driving context in the US, 'to cut someone off' means:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a verb, it's two words: 'cut off'. As a noun or adjective, it can be one word ('cutoff' / 'cut-off'), especially in US English for things like 'cutoff point' or 'cutoff jeans'.
Yes. It can refer to physical separation (cut off a limb) and abstract concepts (cut off communication, cut off funds).
'Cut off' generally means to disconnect or separate. 'Cut out' usually means to remove a piece from within something (cut out a picture from a magazine) or to exclude someone from a group.
Yes, 'be/get cut off' is the passive form, emphasizing the state of being disconnected or isolated.