a deep cut

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a deep cut" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or serious injury, often in a medical context, or metaphorically to refer to a substantial reduction or loss in something. Example: "After the accident, he had to go to the hospital to treat a deep cut on his arm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Everyone's wages have suffered a deep cut in value.

The Guardian - Business

"But you have to make a deep cut and you have to destroy the chain.

Independent

But even a deep cut would allow a nice profit for carry traders.

The Economist

Montgomery has a deep cut inside his lip that the Giants are trying to let heal.

The New York Times - Sports

He suffered a deep cut in his head and had to be replaced by John Fallon.

The Guardian - Sport

To leave now, he added, "would be a deep cut with far-reaching consequences".

The New Yorker

The Craig trunk is a deep cut – it's tight but it doesn't look like knickers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Fabianski felt a deep cut on the knee and Santos suffered a bad ankle injury," said Wenger.

Independent

On the final day, a bird attacked Hedren's left eye, leaving a deep cut in the lower lid.

The Guardian - Film

Lib Dems Advocate a deep cut in the prison population, using weekend custody and unpaid community work for minor offenders.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"But you can't erase such a deep-cut memory".

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a deep cut" in a medical context, ensure you provide sufficient detail about the location and severity of the injury. For instance, specify "a deep cut on the forearm".

Common error

Avoid using "a deep cut" metaphorically in contexts where the severity is not truly significant. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact when describing genuinely serious situations.

Linguistic Context

Noun phrase acting as an object or subject complement. The phrase "a deep cut" typically functions to describe something that has been severely reduced or a physical injury that is significant. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a deep cut" is a versatile expression used to describe both physical injuries and significant reductions in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in news and media, as well as in wiki and scientific sources. When referring to injuries, it denotes a serious wound, while metaphorically, it signifies a substantial decrease or impact. When using the phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the intended severity to avoid misinterpretation. Related phrases include "a severe laceration" and "a substantial reduction", offering alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious wound

Synonymous with "a deep cut" in a medical context, indicating a significant injury.

a critical injury

Focuses on the severity and life-threatening nature of a physical wound.

a severe laceration

Replaces "cut" with a more formal medical term, indicating a serious wound.

a substantial reduction

Focuses on the size of the cut, emphasizing its significance as a reduction.

a significant decrease

Emphasizes the action of cutting back or reducing something substantially.

a sharp decline

Emphasizes the sudden and steep nature of the reduction or decrease.

a profound impact

Shifts the meaning to a significant effect or influence, rather than a physical cut.

a heavy blow

Metaphorically represents a severe impact or setback, similar to a physical cut.

a drastic measure

Highlights the severity and decisiveness of the cut or action taken.

a major setback

Conveys a negative consequence or impediment resulting from the cut.

FAQs

How can I use "a deep cut" in a sentence?

You can use "a deep cut" to describe a severe physical injury, as in "He suffered a deep cut to his leg". It can also describe a significant reduction, as in "The company announced a deep cut in its budget".

What is a good alternative to "a deep cut" when referring to an injury?

Instead of "a deep cut", you can use terms like "a severe laceration" or "a serious wound" to describe a significant injury.

When is it appropriate to use "a deep cut" metaphorically?

It's appropriate to use "a deep cut" metaphorically when describing a significant reduction or impact, such as "a substantial reduction in funding" or "a profound impact on the economy".

Is there a difference between "a deep cut" and "a surface cut"?

Yes, "a deep cut" implies a severe injury that penetrates beyond the surface of the skin, while "a surface cut" refers to a minor injury that only affects the outer layer of the skin.