cut back on drinking

USAGE SUMMARY

"cut back on drinking" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to reducing the amount or frequency of alcoholic beverages one consumes. It can also be used more broadly to refer to reducing any type of consumption or indulgence. Example: "After realizing the negative impact it was having on his health, John decided to cut back on drinking alcohol and focus on a healthier lifestyle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

**At baseline, self reported ever feeling at least one of: need to cut back on drinking, annoyed at anyone who suggested to cut back on drinking, need for an "eye opener" or early morning drink, and guilty about drinking.

British Medical Journal

§At baseline, participant self reported ever feeling at least one of: need to cut back on drinking, annoyed at anyone who suggested to cut back on drinking, need for "eye-opener" or early morning drink, and guilty about drinking.

British Medical Journal

When consumers began to cut back on drinking out, the company was left with thousands of unprofitable inns.

The Guardian - Business

Willoughby founded Club Soda in 2015, having stopped drinking five years ago, and the group lobbies the government over labelling, as well as providing support to people who want to cut back on drinking, or step away from bad habits.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At the Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op in St . Paul Shaun Hainey, 26, said he had quit smoking and cut back on drinking and "superfluous recreational spending, like going skiing".

The New York Times

At the Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op in St .Paul, Shaun Hainey, 26, said he had quit smoking and cut back on drinking and "superfluous recreational spending, like going skiing". But he and his wife, Cassandra Hainey, have not cut back on organic food.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

In his first fireside chat he recalled the fisherman from Maine who had sought advice on his hearing and was told to cut back on his drinking; when later asked why he had kept on drinking his answer was, "I liked what I was drinking so much better than what I was hearing (from FDR) that I just kept on drinking".

Huffington Post

A recent study by the government-funded Drinkaware campaign found that one in five adults want to cut back on their drinking.

The Guardian

Once you've cut back on your drinking (so you're at or below the recommended guidelines), examine your drinking habits regularly to see if you're maintaining this level of drinking.

Harvard University

Peter Chi knows he has to cut back on his drinking.

The Guardian - Opinion

Greg said his mother went to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and cut back on her drinking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to "cut back on drinking", be specific about what constitutes a reduced amount or frequency, setting realistic and achievable goals.

Common error

Don't assume everyone understands what "cutting back on drinking" means to you. Clearly define what constitutes a reduced amount to avoid misinterpretations and ensure the advice is actionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cut back on drinking" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically used to express the action of reducing the amount of alcohol one consumes. Ludwig AI confirms this, and the examples provided show it in various contexts, from personal health decisions to broader public health recommendations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

29%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cut back on drinking" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrasal verb that means to reduce one's alcohol consumption. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating its relevance in both public discourse and professional settings. If you're looking for alternative ways to express this idea, consider phrases like "reduce alcohol intake" or ""moderate alcohol consumption"". When using this phrase, be specific about the desired reduction to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cut down on alcohol consumption

Adds emphasis on the action of reducing the consumption.

reduce alcohol intake

Focuses on the quantity of alcohol consumed.

lessen alcohol intake

Focuses on making alcohol intake smaller or less.

moderate alcohol consumption

Suggests a balanced approach to drinking.

limit alcohol use

Emphasizes setting boundaries for alcohol consumption.

curtail drinking habits

Addresses changing established patterns of alcohol consumption.

scale back drinking

Suggests a gradual reduction in drinking habits.

decrease alcohol consumption

Highlights the act of lessening the amount of alcohol used.

lower alcohol consumption

Implies a downward adjustment in the level of drinking.

drink less alcohol

A more direct and straightforward way to express reducing alcohol consumption.

FAQs

How can I use "cut back on drinking" in a sentence?

You can use "cut back on drinking" in a sentence like: "After the doctor's warning, he decided to "cut back on drinking" to improve his health".

What's a less direct way to suggest someone "cut back on drinking"?

Instead of directly telling someone to "cut back on drinking", you could suggest they "moderate alcohol consumption" or "limit alcohol use".

Is it always about alcoholism when someone says "cut back on drinking"?

No, "cut back on drinking" doesn't always imply alcoholism. It can simply mean reducing alcohol intake for health, lifestyle, or personal reasons.

Which is correct, "cut back on drinking" or "cut back drinking"?

"Cut back on drinking" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Cut back drinking" is less idiomatic.