cut off half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cut off half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to removing or separating a portion of something, typically in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "To make the cake more manageable, I decided to cut off half before serving."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"We literally cut off half of Dorset".

The Guardian

On Friday, people in eastern Libya protesting the election shut down three major oil facilities and cut off half the flow of Libya's oil exports, Reuters reported.

The New York Times

One, 68, was found lying face down in his apartment, where the gas and electricity had been cut off half a year earlier.

The New York Times

Still recovering from a severed vertebral artery sustained in his skiing accident five months prior, which cut off half the blood to his brain, Ozturk begins suffering an apparent stroke and collapses into the tent.

The Guardian - Film

Early in "Sisters, Such Devoted Sisters," a crudely effective solo portrait of the seedy gay underworld in Glasgow, Russell Barr, the author and performer who portrays an angry, bruised drag queen, says that when he was young he accidentally cut off half his thumb.

The New York Times

Keep in mind that Van Gogh decided to cut off half of his left ear during an absinthe binge.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Cut off one-half tab-width of the first tab to start the first course.

WikiHow

No nation that cuts off half its population from opportunities will be as productive or prosperous as it could be.

The Economist

Basically, you'll cut off one-half tab-width of the first tab to start the first course, changing the necessary area to fill with each row, shifting the "slots".

WikiHow

Cut off the dress; hands and half trousers fabric.

WikiHow

Cut off the sleeves of about half or two thirds of your black T-shirts.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical action like cutting a cake or a piece of wood, "cut off half" is appropriate. For abstract concepts like budgets or populations, consider alternatives like "reduce by half" or "halve".

Common error

Avoid using "cut off half" when referring to abstract concepts or quantities that aren't being physically divided. For example, instead of saying "they cut off half of the funding", say "they reduced the funding by half" or "they halved the funding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cut off half" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the removal of approximately 50% of something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes a physical or metaphorical act of separation or reduction. The phrase is commonly used in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cut off half" is a phrasal verb used to describe physically removing or reducing something by fifty percent. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and versatile, although relatively rare in occurrence. While appropriate for describing physical actions, alternative phrases like "reduce by half" or "halve" are often more suitable for abstract contexts. The phrase appears primarily in News & Media and Wiki sources, indicating a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce by half

Focuses on the action of reduction, quantifying the decrease to fifty percent.

halve

A concise verb that directly means to divide into two equal parts.

decrease by 50 percent

Emphasizes the percentage of the reduction.

truncate by half

Implies a more abrupt or forceful removal of half the original amount.

diminish by half

Suggests a gradual reduction to fifty percent.

sever in two

Implies a forceful or complete separation into two parts.

bisect

Means to divide into two equal parts, often used in geometric contexts.

split in half

Emphasizes the action of dividing something into two.

take away half

Focuses on the removal of a portion, specifically fifty percent.

remove fifty percent

Clearly states the percentage being removed.

FAQs

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

You can use "cut off half" to describe physically removing a portion of something, such as "We had to cut off half of the damaged branch".

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

Alternatives include "reduce by half", "halve", or "decrease by 50 percent", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "cut in half" instead of "cut off half"?

While both are related to division, "cut in half" implies dividing something into two parts, whereas "cut off half" suggests removing a portion equivalent to half of the original object.

When is it better to use "reduce by half" over "cut off half"?

"Reduce by half" is preferable when referring to abstract quantities or values like budgets or populations, while "cut off half" is more appropriate for physical objects.