cut off funds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cut off funds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of stopping or withdrawing financial support or resources from an individual, organization, or project. Example: "Due to the lack of progress, the board decided to cut off funds for the initiative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Some Democrats want to cut off funds for the war.

The Economist

The White House, however, took exception to Congress's effort to cut off funds.

The New Yorker

The US responded by expanding sanctions designed to cut off funds to the regime's elite.

The Guardian

On Thursday, senior administration and Congressional officials said that the Obama administration planned to cut off funds to those units.

The New York Times

"Congress has every right to scrutinize the N.S.A. program and cut off funds if it wants to.

The New York Times

And he hinted strongly that he would move to cut off funds if the progress was not robust.

The New York Times

And nearly all candidates in both parties hint that switching to alternative fuels will cut off funds for Islamic terrorism, by reducing the price of oil.

The Economist

American laws dating to the 1990s mandated that the United States cut off funds to Unesco in response to the vote.

The New York Times

On the Democratic side, Harry Reid came out yesterday in favour of a bill that would cut off funds for the Iraq war.

The Economist

And the United States has cut off funds to UNESCO, the cultural arm of the U.N., after it voted to accept Palestine as a full member state.

The New Yorker

Britain's damaged banks cut off funds to some companies and charged higher interest rates to others, making it hard for companies to invest.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cut off funds", clearly state the reason for the action to avoid ambiguity and potential misunderstandings. For example, "The board decided to cut off funds due to consistent underperformance."

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice without specifying who is "cutting off" the funds. Instead of "Funds were cut off", specify the actor: "The committee cut off funds."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cut off funds" functions primarily as a verb phrase, describing the action of discontinuing financial support or resources. It typically involves a subject (the entity doing the cutting off) and an object (the funds being cut off). As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cut off funds" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to communicate the cessation of financial support. While suitable for various contexts, specifying the actor and reason enhances clarity. Related phrases like "withdraw funding" or "terminate financial support" offer similar meanings. When employing this phrase, ensure precision to avoid ambiguity. Finally, remember to state clearly who is performing the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

withdraw funding

Implies a formal removal of financial support, potentially temporary.

defund

A more concise term for removing financial backing.

terminate financial support

Emphasizes the complete ending of monetary assistance.

halt disbursements

Focuses on stopping the release of funds that were previously allocated.

cease payments

Highlights the action of stopping monetary transactions.

block financial resources

Suggests preventing access to financial means.

suspend financial aid

Suggests a temporary stop to financial assistance.

discontinue grants

Specifically relates to the termination of grant funding.

reduce allocations

Implies a decrease in the amount of funds provided rather than a complete stop.

end subsidies

Refers specifically to stopping government support.

FAQs

How can I use "cut off funds" in a sentence?

You can use "cut off funds" to describe the act of stopping financial support. For example, "The organization decided to "cut off funds" to the project due to budget constraints."

What are some alternatives to "cut off funds"?

Alternatives include "withdraw funding", "terminate financial support", or "halt disbursements", depending on the specific context.

Is "cut off funds" a formal or informal expression?

"Cut off funds" is considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in official communications.

What is the difference between "cut off funds" and "reduce funding"?

"Cut off funds" implies a complete cessation of financial support, while "reduce funding" suggests a decrease in the amount of financial support provided. Therefore, "cut off funds" is more absolute.