car cut off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "car cut off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation in which a vehicle is abruptly obstructed or forced to change lanes due to another vehicle's sudden movement. Example: "I was driving on the highway when a car cut off, causing me to slam on my brakes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Regan said some witnesses reported seeing a car cut off Barton's truck just before he lost control, while others said there was no other vehicle involved.

Los Angeles Times

When people are supposed to be nice to each other," my wife, Kathy, said in exasperation the other day as we watched yet another car cut off someone trying to get out of a driveway on Massachusetts Avenue.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Minutes later, two unmarked cars cut off Ali.

Huffington Post

All in one week I waited through five light cycles while cars cut off various drivers in front of me.

Huffington Post

Later, as I walked toward a mound in an infield to watch the final laps of the race, a motorcade of Chevy suburbans and sirens-blaring police cars cut off my path.

Vice

Similarly, restricting Chinese-made subway cars cuts off an important lifeline to America's creaking transportation infrastructure — without a meaningful decrease in risk.

The Washington Post

"The point is, if the car gets cut off and you remain totally calm, it means you trusted the car would keep you safe.

Huffington Post

Waymo and Villegas took us through three structured tests, including one in which a passing car cuts off the self-driving van without much warning; one where the self-driving car has to deal with a vehicle backing out of a driveway on a corner; and one where it encounters movers in a roadway and has to navigate around them, while also heeding oncoming traffic.

TechCrunch

A high-speed chase followed; the lawyers' car was cut off and surrounded by police with rifles.

The New Yorker

The car you cut off has a small dent in its bumper, which obviously means that it is the other driver's fault.

The New York Times

His Treasury chief, whom Condé had charged with investigating embezzlement by government officials, was driving home from work one night when her car was cut off by another vehicle; she was shot and killed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "car cut off", ensure the context clearly indicates which car performed the action and which car was affected. For example, "The blue car cut off the red car."

Common error

Avoid passive constructions that obscure who is at fault. Instead of "The accident happened when the car was cut off", specify: "The accident happened when a car cut off another vehicle".

Linguistic Context

"Car cut off" functions as a phrasal verb in the passive voice, describing an action where a vehicle's movement is impeded by another vehicle. It emphasizes the result of the action, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples showing cars being forced to stop or swerve.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "car cut off" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a driving situation where a vehicle obstructs another's path abruptly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse sources, including news media and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying which car initiated the action. While it maintains a neutral register, avoiding passive voice improves sentence structure and emphasizes responsibility. Remember to use alternatives if you have to, such as "vehicle cut in front", to increase clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vehicle cut in front

Emphasizes the action of one vehicle moving directly into the path of another.

car pulled in front suddenly

Highlights the abrupt nature of the maneuver.

vehicle swerved into lane

Focuses on the swerving motion and lane change.

car merged abruptly

Describes a sudden merging action that impedes another vehicle.

vehicle forced to brake

Indicates that one vehicle was forced to slow down due to another's action.

car impeded

A more formal way of saying the vehicle was obstructed.

vehicle obstructed

Stresses the impediment caused to the other vehicle

car made a sudden lane change

Highlights the lane change as the reason for the obstruction.

vehicle unexpectedly changed lanes

Emphasizes the unexpected change of lane

car entered lane abruptly

Emphasizes the abrupt nature of the change of lane

FAQs

What does it mean when a car cuts you off?

When a "car cut off", it means another vehicle moved abruptly in front of you, obstructing your path and potentially forcing you to brake or swerve to avoid a collision.

What can I say instead of "car cut off"?

You can use alternatives like "vehicle cut in front", "car pulled in front suddenly", or "vehicle swerved into lane" depending on the specific context.

Is it acceptable to say a car "cut me off"?

Yes, "cut me off" is a common and acceptable way to describe the action of a car moving abruptly in front of you. It's widely understood and used in everyday language.

What should I do if a car cuts me off while driving?

If a "car cut off" while you're driving, prioritize safety. Maintain control of your vehicle, avoid overreacting, and brake gently if needed. Check your mirrors and be aware of surrounding traffic.