cut out

USAGE SUMMARY

"cut out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe an action of physically removing something, usually with scissors. For example: "I cut out the paper doll and glued it to the paper background."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cut out and keep.

BBC

Cut out all contact.

WikiHow

Cut out The "W's".

WikiHow

Cut out biscuits.

WikiHow

Cut out junk food.

WikiHow

Cut out teeth.

WikiHow

Cut out windows.

WikiHow

Cut out trans-fats.

WikiHow

Cut out most adverbs.

WikiHow

Cut out anything unnecessary.

WikiHow

Cut out that swearing!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To advise eliminating something from a diet or habit, use "cut out" followed by the item to be removed. For example, "Cut out sugary drinks for better health."

Common error

Avoid using "cut out" when a more precise verb is appropriate for abstract concepts. Instead of saying "Cut out the possibility of failure", consider using "eliminate", "remove", or "exclude".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "cut out" functions primarily as a verb of action, describing the physical act of separating something or the act of eliminating or discontinuing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

75%

News & Media

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Cut out" is a versatile phrasal verb with multiple meanings, most commonly referring to the physical act of separating something or the elimination of something. It is grammatically correct and frequently used in both physical instructions and abstract recommendations. While generally considered informal to neutral, Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across different contexts, recommending consideration of more formal alternatives in certain professional settings. Common usages include eliminating items from a diet and ceasing contact with a person.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove

Focuses on the action of taking something away, similar to "cut out" when it means to eliminate.

eliminate

Emphasizes the complete removal of something, aligning with the meaning of "cut out" in the context of exclusion.

exclude

Highlights the act of preventing something from being included, akin to "cut out" in scenarios of omission.

omit

Specifically refers to leaving something out, which is a direct synonym for "cut out" when used in editing or selection.

discontinue

Implies stopping or ceasing something, matching the sense of "cut out" when referring to halting an activity.

extract

Denotes taking something out, often with precision, similar to "cut out" in physical removal.

excise

Suggests surgically removing something, akin to "cut out" but with a more formal tone.

sever

Implies a forceful cutting or separation, similar to "cut out" in physical contexts.

detach

Focuses on separating something from a larger entity, aligning with "cut out" in scenarios of physical separation.

deselect

Refers to removing something from a selection, similar to "cut out" when used in a digital or abstract context.

FAQs

How can I use "cut out" in a sentence to mean 'eliminate'?

You can use "cut out" to mean eliminate by saying something like, "I need to "cut out" processed foods from my diet to lose weight."

What's a synonym for "cut out" when referring to physically removing something?

A synonym for "cut out" when referring to physically removing something is "extract". For example, "Cut out the image" can also be phrased as "Extract the image."

Is "cut out" appropriate for formal writing?

While "cut out" is widely understood, consider using a more formal alternative like "eliminate" or "remove" in formal writing, depending on the context.

What does it mean when someone says they "cut out" a person from their life?

When someone says they "cut out" a person from their life, it means they have "removed" that person from their life, ceasing contact and interaction.