cut it short

USAGE SUMMARY

"cut it short" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to tell someone to end something quickly. For example: "We need to cut it short; I'm running late for my appointment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As with any trip, it'll be best to see it through to its conclusion rather than cut it short.

Vice

Had to cut it short".

The New York Times

(He cut it short for the tournament).

The New York Times - Sports

"Cut it short," you might say.

The Guardian - Opinion

[music playing] And he just cut it short.

Yale University

A musical cue forced her to cut it short.

The New York Times

Cut it short or just roll with it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Maybe time to do a Penny and cut it short?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Another comic might have dared this scenario but would have cut it short.

The Guardian

"He was getting emotional, so I tried to cut it short," Brown said.

The New York Times - Sports

The circuit is fairly long, but you could easily cut it short if necessary.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cut it short" in writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being shortened, whether it's a meeting, a trip, or a speech. For example, "The meeting was unproductive, so we decided to cut it short."

Common error

Avoid using "cut it short" without specifying what 'it' refers to. Ambiguity can confuse readers. Instead of saying, "I had to cut it short", specify: "I had to cut the presentation short."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cut it short" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, from ending conversations to curtailing trips or presentations. The AI analysis confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cut it short" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to indicate the premature ending or shortening of something, appearing most often in news and media contexts. While versatile, it is best used with clear context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as ""end it abruptly"" or ""shorten the duration"" can be used for variety, but "cut it short" remains a straightforward and effective choice for conveying brevity and conciseness. Ludwig examples highlight its practical application in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

end it abruptly

Focuses on the suddenness of the termination.

shorten the duration

Emphasizes making something last less time.

bring it to a swift conclusion

Highlights a quick and decisive ending.

terminate prematurely

Implies ending something before its natural or intended time.

abridge it

Suggests reducing something in scope or length, often a text or speech.

curtail it

Indicates restricting or reducing something.

truncate it

Implies cutting off the end of something.

condense it

Focuses on making something more compact or concise.

compress it

Highlights reducing the size or length by pressure or force.

halt it early

Emphasizes stopping something before its expected completion.

FAQs

How can I use "cut it short" in a sentence?

You can use "cut it short" to indicate ending something prematurely. For instance, "The speaker had to "cut it short" due to time constraints" or "The trip was "cut it short" because of the bad weather".

What is a synonym for "cut it short"?

Alternatives to "cut it short" include "end it abruptly", "shorten the duration", or "terminate prematurely".

Is it correct to say "cut it short"?

Yes, "cut it short" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to mean ending something earlier than planned or expected, as affirmed by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "cut it short" and "stopped it short"?

"Cut it short" implies reducing the duration or extent of something, while "stopped it short" suggests preventing something from continuing or progressing. The former focuses on truncation, the latter on prevention.