cut off an interview

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cut off an interview" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct expression would typically be "cut off during an interview" or "cut short an interview." Example: "The interviewer had to cut off the interview due to time constraints."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Ivanka Trump cut off an interview with Cosmopolitan this week when the interviewer started asking hard-hitting questions about her father's child care plan.

Los Angeles Times

An aide to Donald Trump Jr. appeared to abruptly cut off an interview with a Pittsburgh news station after a reporter asked the GOP nominee's son about the family's charitable foundation.

Huffington Post

Mr. Diveroli cut off an interview when asked about Botach Tactical.

The New York Times

He made headlines online in December when he cut off an interview with a congresswoman after fighting with her over what he called the "private insurance monopoly" that stood to benefit from an overhaul of health care.

The New York Times

It was the fifth time in Thomas's last nine news media sessions that he cut off an interview because of the subject matter — relating either to Marbury or to Thomas's own future with the team.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's a refrain he has never stopped repeating: in a 2014 interview, he abruptly cut off a reporter for the Hollywood Reporter.

The Guardian

"They'd never heard this stuff because we were the ignored artists, the people on the other end of the line who it was always easy to cut off". During an interview with one executive for a major label, Rogala says, "I asked her to tell us about the artists on their roster so we could get acquainted with them.

Los Angeles Times

During a campaign stop here Monday morning, Mr. Paul's staff abruptly cut off a brief interview with the CNN reporter Dana Bash when she asked about his ability to connect with voters in New Hampshire.

The New York Times

Burnett was so distraught Tuesday night he cut off a post-game interview after about 30 seconds.

Los Angeles Times

Then cut off an hour everyday.

WikiHow

I cut off a quarter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use more precise language such as "abruptly ended", "terminated", or "interrupted" to describe the action of stopping an interview. These alternatives provide clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "cut off an interview" as it is grammatically awkward. It's better to specify what was cut off (e.g., "cut short the interview") or use a more suitable verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cut off an interview" is used to describe the act of prematurely ending an interview. However, it's grammatically awkward and not considered standard English. As Ludwig AI confirms, alternative phrasing is advisable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "cut off an interview" is used to describe prematurely ending an interview, it's grammatically awkward and not standard English. Ludwig AI's analysis suggests that alternative phrasing such as "ended the interview abruptly" or "terminated the interview" is preferable for clarity and correctness. The phrase is rare, appearing primarily in news and media, and should be avoided in formal contexts. Employing more precise and grammatically sound language will enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

end the interview abruptly

Focuses on ending the interview suddenly.

abruptly end an interview

Focuses on the suddenness of the action, replacing 'cut off' with a more descriptive verb.

stop the interview midway

Emphasizes stopping the interview midway through.

put an end to the interview abruptly

Emphasizes putting a sudden stop to the interview.

terminate an interview prematurely

Emphasizes the early termination of the interview, using a more formal tone.

halt an interview mid-session

Highlights the interruption during the interview, specifying the 'mid-session' timing.

curtail the interview

Indicates reducing the length of the interview, implying an earlier ending.

interrupt the interview

Uses a simpler and more direct verb, focusing on the act of interruption.

bring the interview to an early close

Highlights the act of prematurely concluding the interview.

suspend the interview abruptly

Stresses the sudden suspension of the interview, offering a slightly different nuance.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct way to say "cut off an interview"?

Instead of "cut off an interview", it is better to use phrases like "cut short the interview", "ended the interview abruptly", or "terminated the interview".

Is "cut off an interview" considered formal or informal language?

Due to its grammatical awkwardness, "cut off an interview" isn't suitable for formal contexts. Use clearer and more standard phrases for professional or academic communication.

What does it mean to "cut short an interview"?

To "cut short an interview" means to end it earlier than planned, usually due to time constraints, irrelevant information, or inappropriate behavior during the interview.

Which phrase is more appropriate: "cut off the interview" or "cut short the interview"?

"Cut short the interview" is generally more appropriate because it directly refers to reducing the length of the interview. "Cut off the interview" is less precise.