cut off questions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cut off questions" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of stopping or interrupting questions, but it lacks clarity and proper usage. Example: "During the meeting, the moderator had to cut off questions to keep the discussion on track."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

A moment later, he cut off questions and strode away.

The New York Times - Sports

Hardaway cut off questions today about his injury, incurred late in the regular season.

The New York Times - Sports

At one point, Sheriff Dupnik cut off questions to Mr. Mueller, saying that other officials were still available to speak.

The New York Times

Asked if he still had confidence in those officials, the governor nodded curtly and cut off questions.

The New York Times

Representative Diana DeGette of Colorado cut off questions after being asked whether she would draw the line at legal abortion later in pregnancy.

The New York Times

Democrats were dismayed, arguing that the committee has never before cut off questions, and that they needed more time to examine DeVos's record.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Before Thomas spoke, Jonathan Supranowitz, the Knicks' vice president of public relations, told reporters that Thomas would not take questions about the settlement and that he would cut off any questions about it.

The New York Times - Sports

(An aide tried to cut off the questions after two).

The New York Times

Another fisheries bureau official attending the interview cut off several questions, suddenly declaring, "Thank you for coming".

The New York Times

The moderator of his session, one of the festival's organizers, cut off uncomfortable questions posed to him by the audience, according to people present during the session.

The New York Times

One wrong step, I kept thinking, and Sandusky can just cut off the questions, put down the phone as in, "Uh, thanks for your interest, Bob, but gotta go now, it's been a long day".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider using stronger verbs such as "stop", "interrupt", or "halt" to clearly convey the action of preventing questions.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "cut off questions" when a more direct verb would improve clarity. For example, instead of saying "The speaker cut off questions", specify the action by saying "The speaker stopped questions" or "The speaker refused to answer further questions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cut off questions" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of stopping or preventing questions. Ludwig AI shows its usage across different contexts, though it's flagged for potential grammatical incorrectness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cut off questions" is used to describe the act of stopping or interrupting questions. While Ludwig AI identifies it as potentially grammatically incorrect, its prevalence in news and media indicates common usage. For enhanced clarity and formality, consider alternative phrases like "stop questions" or "interrupt questions". The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality, but more precise verbs are often preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop questions

Focuses on halting questions entirely, implying a more definitive end.

interrupt questions

Highlights the act of breaking into the questioning process.

halt questioning

A more formal way to express the cessation of questioning.

curtail questions

Emphasizes limiting the number or scope of questions.

field no further questions

Describes a situation where no more questions will be entertained.

decline to answer

Highlights the refusal to respond to posed questions.

refuse to elaborate

Indicates a choice not to provide more details or answers.

avoid questions

Suggests actively steering clear of questions altogether.

shut down questioning

Implies a forceful end to the questioning process.

terminate the question period

A formal way to end a session of questioning.

FAQs

What does "cut off questions" mean?

The phrase "cut off questions" generally means to stop or interrupt questions, preventing further inquiries on a particular topic or from a particular person.

Is "cut off questions" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, some sources consider "cut off questions" to be less grammatically precise. Alternatives like "stop questions" or "halt questioning" might be preferred in formal writing.

How can I rephrase "cut off questions" in a formal context?

In a formal context, consider using phrases like "halt questioning", "decline to answer", or "refuse to elaborate". These alternatives provide a more professional tone.

When is it appropriate to use "cut off questions"?

The phrase "cut off questions" is suitable in informal contexts or when quickly conveying that someone stopped or interrupted the question-and-answer process. However, for increased precision, use alternatives such as "stop questions" or "interrupt questions".