a little cut

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little cut" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small injury or incision on the skin. Example: "After the accident, she had a little cut on her arm that needed a bandage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"I got a little cut on my arm.

The New York Times - Sports

Couldn't it have been a little cut that just bled profusely, the prosecutor asked.

The New York Times

"I couldn't say a little cut would have did it," Mr. Ferrara said.

The New York Times

Remove the foil, leave to cool a little, cut in half and squeeze out the pulp.

Independent

Or a story about someone who knows he is a little cut adrift from life?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

'This is the silicone rubber' – it was for a little cut on my face, y'know?

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

"It had a little cut-out javelin on it".

The Guardian - Sport

If you dinged yourself badly, it was no disgrace; we'd stencil a little cut-out shape of a chef knife under your station to commemorate the event.

The Guardian - Books

This installation, crackling and numinous, was familiar to me from a visit to Durham two years ago, which was perhaps why it now felt just a little cut-price.

The Guardian - Arts

Hells no! Now, I understand that media can get a little cut-throat.

TechCrunch

Adding upgraded parts leaves friendly Corebots looking a little cut-and-shut, as colours don't match and some components prefer curves over corners, but the stats don't lie: these forearms, while uglier than the result of a 2CV mating with an SUV, with the tyres burned off and mouldy dice in the window, pack more punch than anything in Real Steel.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing injuries, use "a little cut" to downplay the severity of the wound. It suggests the injury is minor and not a cause for major concern.

Common error

Avoid using "a little cut" in highly formal or professional documents when describing injuries. Opt for more precise and clinical terms like "minor laceration" or "superficial abrasion" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little cut" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "little" modifies the noun "cut". It describes a minor injury. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a little cut" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a minor injury. As Ludwig AI points out, it effectively communicates the minor nature of a wound and is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's best to avoid using the phrase in professional or highly formal writing, where more precise and clinical terms would be more appropriate. Alternatives such as "minor incision" or "superficial abrasion" may be preferred in those situations. When deciding if it can be used, consider the type of writing and the readers to ensure there's consistency with tone and register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny nick

Focuses on the small size and sharpness of the cut.

a minor incision

Replaces "cut" with a more formal synonym "incision" and "little" with "minor", suggesting a medical context.

a slight scratch

Suggests a very light, surface-level mark or injury.

a small laceration

Uses "laceration", implying a tearing wound, but still small.

a superficial injury

Emphasizes that the injury is on the surface and not serious.

a slight abrasion

"Abrasion" suggests a superficial skin injury, like a graze.

a flesh wound

Highlights that the cut affects the flesh (skin/muscle) and is not deeper.

a trivial wound

Emphasizes the insignificance of the injury using the word "trivial".

a superficial graze

Highlights the surface-level nature of the injury.

a minor injury

General term for a non-serious wound or harm.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little cut" to describe a minor injury, as in, "He only got "a little cut" while chopping vegetables."

What can I say instead of "a little cut"?

You can use alternatives like "minor incision", "small laceration", or "slight abrasion" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a little cut" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a little cut" might be considered too informal for some formal writing. Consider using more precise and professional terms like "minor wound" or "superficial injury" instead.

What's the difference between "a little cut" and "a deep cut"?

"A little cut" refers to a minor injury, while "a deep cut" implies a more serious wound that penetrates deeper into the tissue and may require medical attention.