cut off communication

USAGE SUMMARY

"cut off communication" is an acceptable phrase that can be used in written English.
It usually means to abruptly stop talking or interacting with someone. For example, "After their argument, Sarah decided to cut off communication with her brother for a while."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Cut Off Communication: Silos cut off clear communication between different business units or managerial levels.

Forbes

He cut off communication completely.

The New York Times - Magazine

Brand cut off communication with everybody from the Clippers.

The New York Times - Sports

The captors eventually sent a ransom demand, then abruptly cut off communication.

The Washington Post

After they cut off communication, Karnes said her troubles didn't end.

The Guardian

Finally, the report said he cut off communication with the Justice Department once he was offered immunity from prosecution.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Cutting off communication only compounded the chaos and impeded the riders' right to communicate with loved ones.

Huffington Post

It cuts off communication.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sometimes Bush's anger with the press cuts off communication.

The New Yorker

"Deep-Holes" recounts the story of a boy who leaves college, moves away and soon cuts off communication with his family.

The New York Times - Books

The toxin cuts off communication between nerve cells by destroying SNAP-25, a protein that controls the release of neurotransmitters.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cut off communication" to describe a deliberate decision to stop interacting with someone or a group. It implies a clear break in contact.

Common error

While "cut off communication" suggests an abrupt end, it doesn't always mean instantaneous. Clarify the timeframe if the cessation of contact happened gradually or will take effect in the future.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cut off communication" functions as a verb phrase often used as a direct object or within a clause. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase describes the act of intentionally stopping or terminating contact or dialogue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cut off communication" is a common and acceptable way to describe the act of ending contact or dialogue with someone. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's grammatically sound and frequently used in various contexts, primarily in news and media. While often neutral in register, it implies a deliberate cessation of interaction. Consider using alternative phrases like "cease contact" or "end all correspondence" for more formal situations. Be mindful of the timeframe, as the phrase itself doesn't specify how quickly contact was terminated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cease contact

Focuses on stopping contact, emphasizing a deliberate action.

discontinue contact

Formal and emphasizes a deliberate stopping of contact.

end all correspondence

Formal alternative emphasizing written communication.

terminate contact

Formal way to express ending communication.

break off relations

Implies a broader relationship termination beyond just communication.

cease all interaction

Emphasizes stopping every form of interaction, not just communication.

suspend dialogue

Emphasizes a temporary halt in conversation or discussion.

sever ties

Implies a more permanent and significant ending of a relationship, including communication.

halt all exchanges

Highlights the stopping of any kind of interaction or exchange.

block all channels

Focuses on preventing communication through all available means.

FAQs

How to use "cut off communication" in a sentence?

You can use "cut off communication" to describe a deliberate act of stopping contact, as in: "After the argument, she decided to "cut off communication" with him."

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

You can use alternatives like "cease contact", "end all correspondence", or "break off relations" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cut off communication" or "cut off communications"?

Both are grammatically correct. "Cut off communication" refers to communication in general, while "cut off communications" refers to specific instances or channels of communication.

What's the difference between "cut off communication" and "ignore"?

"Cut off communication" implies a deliberate and often explicit decision to end contact. "Ignore" suggests a passive avoidance of communication without necessarily a formal declaration.