cut someone off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cut someone off" is a correct and commonly used English phrase.
You can use it to describe an act of stopping someone from speaking by interrupting them. For example, "The teacher had to cut the student off as he had exceeded the allowed time for his presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

For example, you might believe you are a kind and fair person, so when you rudely cut someone off, you experience dissonance.

The New York Times

"Because they were from New Jersey, they didn't care if they cut someone off on the road, as long as they got there first".

The New York Times

"I love living in New Jersey, where you see the state bird whenever you cut someone off on the highway," says Peggy Boyce, a stand-up comic.

The New York Times

It doesn't always work — I have lost plenty of money on companies that have gone bankrupt — but that doesn't mean that knowing when to cut someone off is a black-and-white decision.

The New York Times

"Oh my," I said to him, "I believe we just cut someone off!" Ignoring my back-seat-driver comment, my husband proceeded to the end of the block, where we stopped at a traffic light.

The New York Times

Every time Galloway cut someone off for offending him, somebody else would prop up, ready to dine in hell.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

7. Cutting someone off in traffic (a "sorry" wave will do here, especially when combined with a cringe indicating you didn't mean to).

HuffPost

Cutting someone off hurts, especially if you've been fantasizing about their potential future role in your life and you've been expending endless energies trying to get them to come around to seeing you in a better light.

WikiHow

But if your truck cuts someone off or the driver gets into a big collision that ends up on TV, you better be prepared to handle the image problems".

The New York Times

Like it's sensitive to cut someone's clitoris off!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They cut someone's head off with a knife.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing driving scenarios, use "cut someone off" to vividly portray a driver's inconsiderate action.

Common error

Be mindful that "cut someone off" implies an abrupt and often inconsiderate action. Do not use it to describe a planned or gentle separation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cut someone off" functions as a phrasal verb, where "cut" is the verb and "off" is the particle. Ludwig AI validates its use. It commonly describes an abrupt interruption or impediment, often implying a lack of consideration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cut someone off" is a commonly used phrasal verb that describes abruptly interrupting or impeding someone, as confirmed by Ludwig. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as in informal conversations. While grammatically correct, users should be mindful of the negative connotation of inconsideration associated with the phrase. Related alternatives include "interrupt someone", and "hinder someone", but they may not capture the exact meaning depending on the context. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its versatile usage in various situations, making it a valuable tool for understanding its nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interrupt someone

Focuses on the act of interrupting speech, lacking the broader sense of obstruction.

break in on someone

Informal way to say interrupt someone.

stop someone short

Emphasizes abrupt cessation, but may not always imply interruption.

interject

A more formal way of saying interrupt.

hinder someone

Highlights the act of impeding progress, broader than just speech.

obstruct someone

Similar to hinder, emphasizing blockage or impediment.

bring someone up short

To make someone stop what they are doing.

bring someone to a halt

To stop something or someone.

leave someone behind

Focuses on abandonment or surpassing, not interruption or obstruction.

pull rank on someone

Describes abusing authority.

FAQs

What does it mean to "cut someone off"?

To "cut someone off" generally means to abruptly interrupt or impede someone, whether in conversation, driving, or other contexts.

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

You can use "cut someone off" in sentences like: "He accidentally "cut someone off" in traffic while changing lanes" or "She had to "cut him off" mid-sentence because he was rambling".

What can I say instead of "cut someone off" in a conversation?

Alternatives to "cut someone off" in conversation include "interrupt someone", "break in on someone", or "interject" depending on the context.

Is it rude to "cut someone off"?

Yes, "cutting someone off" is generally considered rude, especially in conversations or when driving, as it disregards the other person's turn or safety.