cut out
B2Neutral to informal. Common in spoken and written English, with 'cut it out' being very informal/idiomatic.
Definition
Meaning
To remove something by cutting; to cease functioning suddenly; to stop doing something.
To eliminate or omit; to be naturally suited for something; to take the place of or supersede.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Has both literal (physical cutting) and figurative (eliminating, ceasing) meanings. As a phrasal verb, it is transitive and separable (e.g., 'cut the engine out'). The adjective 'cut-out' (often hyphenated) describes something removed or shaped by cutting.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The command 'Cut it out!' (stop it) is equally common. The literal sense (e.g., 'cut out a coupon') is identical. 'Cut out for' (suited for) is used in both varieties.
Connotations
None specific to either variety.
Frequency
Equally common in both. No significant regional variation in frequency or meaning.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] cut out [object][subject] cut [object] out[subject] is cut out for [noun/gerund][subject] cut out [object] from [source]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cut out the middleman”
- “cut out for something (naturally suited)”
- “cut it out! (stop it)”
- “have one's work cut out”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Eliminating unnecessary costs or intermediaries: 'We need to cut out inefficient processes.'
Academic
Omitting data or sections: 'The researcher cut out the anomalous results from the final analysis.'
Everyday
Common for crafts, health, and behaviour: 'She cut out a heart from red paper.' / 'I'm trying to cut out caffeine.' / 'Cut it out, you two!'
Technical
In engineering/medicine: 'The surgeon cut out the damaged tissue.' / 'The engine cut out at high altitude.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The doctor said I should cut out dairy.
- The engine cut out on the motorway.
- He's not cut out for office work.
American English
- I need to cut out processed foods.
- The power cut out during the storm.
- She's cut out to be a great lawyer.
adverb
British English
- This word is used adjectivally, not as a standalone adverb.
American English
- This word is used adjectivally, not as a standalone adverb.
adjective
British English
- She held up a cut-out paper star.
- We used a cardboard cut-out as a prop.
American English
- The kids played with dinosaur cut-outs.
- It was a simple cut-out shape.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The child cut out a circle.
- Please cut out the bad picture.
- I'm trying to cut out sweets to lose weight.
- The car's engine suddenly cut out.
- To save money, they decided to cut out the middleman.
- He realised he wasn't cut out for a military career.
- The editor cut out several redundant paragraphs to improve the article's flow.
- Having his work cut out for him, the new manager immediately addressed the systemic inefficiencies.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine using scissors to CUT a shape OUT of a piece of paper. This visualises the core action of removal.
Conceptual Metaphor
REMOVAL IS CUTTING OUT (extracting a part from a whole); STOPPING IS CUTTING OFF A SUPPLY (cut out a habit).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'cut out for' literally (вырезан для). Use 'подходить', 'быть созданным для'.
- Don't confuse with 'cut off' (оборвать, отрезать). 'Cut out' implies removal from within, 'cut off' implies separation from the end/side.
- 'Cut it out!' is an idiom; the Russian equivalent is 'Прекрати!' or 'Хватит!', not a literal translation involving cutting.
Common Mistakes
- *He cut out to smoke. (Incorrect for 'stopped smoking' – use 'cut out smoking' or 'quit smoking').
- *I am not cut out to be a teacher. (Correct, but learners often omit 'to be').
- Confusing 'cut out' (remove/stop) with 'cut off' (disconnect/isolate).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'cut out' mean in this sentence: 'After the argument, he decided to cut out all toxic people from his life.'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can say 'cut out the noise' or 'cut the noise out'. However, pronoun objects must go in the middle: 'Cut it out' (not 'Cut out it').
'Cut out' usually means to remove something from inside (cut out a tumour, cut out a coupon) or stop a supply/action (cut out sugar). 'Cut off' means to disconnect or isolate (cut off power, cut off a piece of rope, feel cut off from friends).
It means 'naturally suited for'. It's usually used in questions or negatives: 'Are you cut out for this job?' / 'I'm not cut out to be an accountant.' It's often followed by 'for + noun' or 'to be + noun'.
It is a direct, informal command meaning 'Stop that!'. It can sound impatient or annoyed, so it's best used with friends, family, or children, not in formal or polite situations.