cut at the roots

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cut at the roots" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of addressing a problem or issue at its source to prevent it from growing or recurring. Example: "To truly solve the issue of poverty, we need to cut at the roots by providing better education and job opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But their own theories are so different that they cut at the roots of the Mimamsa realism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The stump was cut at the roots by the Tacoma Fire Department and transported to McChord Air Force Base -- from where, presumably, it was airlifted away.

The New York Times

Ivy that engulfed much of the house was cut at the roots and stripped away, though some that crawled inside an upstairs window remains.

The New York Times

"The better we can understand the complex forces that give rise to poverty, the better we'll be able to truly cut at the roots of all forms of slavery".

The Guardian

The proximal part of facial artery and its accompanying vein were cut at the roots of their branches from the external carotid artery.

Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

The field-grown wheat plants were cut at the roots and dried in air at ambient conditions.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And so the faculty must cut at the root of a set of ideas that are wholly illiberal.

The New York Times

Five paper birch density treatments (0, 400, 1111, 4444 stems ha−1 and an un-thinned control of >7000 stems ha−1), where paper birch was manually cut at the root collar in 1999, were replicated on four sites in a randomized block design.

Forest Ecology and Management

The splenic artery was cut at the root, and splenectomy was performed immediately.

Surgical Case Reports

And this is where we in the West, by proliferating the true concept of Caliphate and showing another side of it then just Al-Baghdadi, can help cut at the root of ISIS' power and appeal.

Huffington Post

Approximately 10 shafts of hair were cut at the root from the occipital region of each child.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cut at the roots", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are addressing the fundamental cause of a problem, not just treating its symptoms.

Common error

Avoid using "cut at the roots" when you're only addressing the immediate symptoms of a problem. Make sure your actions truly target the underlying cause, otherwise, a different expression would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cut at the roots" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe an action taken to eliminate the fundamental cause of a problem. Ludwig examples show its usage across diverse contexts to emphasize thorough solutions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cut at the roots" signifies addressing the fundamental cause of a problem, aiming for a lasting solution rather than a superficial fix. While grammatically sound and used across various sources, its frequency is relatively rare. As demonstrated by Ludwig, its usage spans news, science and encyclopedia contexts, highlighting its versatility. Remember to use it when you're truly targeting the source of an issue to ensure clarity and impact. This makes sure that the problem wont re-emerge after a while.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eradicate the source

Focuses on complete removal of the origin.

eliminate the cause

Highlights the act of removing the origin of a problem.

get to the bottom of

Emphasizes thorough investigation to find the true cause.

uproot the problem

Focuses on removing the problem entirely, as if pulling up a plant.

resolve the underlying issue

Highlights the resolution of a foundational problem.

attack the foundation

Implies a direct assault on the base or underlying structure.

strike at the heart

Suggests targeting the most vital or central part of something.

get rid of the genesis

Suggests removing the beginning or origin of something.

nip it in the bud

Implies stopping a problem early in its development.

deal with the crux

Focuses on handling the most important or decisive point.

FAQs

What does "cut at the roots" mean?

The phrase "cut at the roots" means to address or eliminate the fundamental cause of a problem, rather than just dealing with its symptoms.

How can I use "cut at the roots" in a sentence?

You can use "cut at the roots" to describe actions aimed at eliminating the source of an issue. For example: "To truly solve the issue of poverty, we need to cut at the roots by providing better education and job opportunities."

What can I say instead of "cut at the roots"?

You can use alternatives like "eradicate the source", "eliminate the cause", or "get to the bottom of" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "address the symptoms" and "cut at the roots"?

"Address the symptoms" refers to treating the outward signs of a problem, while "cut at the roots" means tackling the underlying cause. Cutting at the roots provides a more permanent solution.