cut the engine

USAGE SUMMARY

'cut the engine' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to tell someone to stop an engine from running. For example: "When we got to the dock, I told him to cut the engine so we could moor the boat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I cut the engine.

The New York Times

Maximo cut the engine.

The Guardian - Travel

We cut the engine and drift closer.

Independent

Lenora, who was driving, cut the engine.

The New York Times - Travel

He cut the engine and gazed out along the tracks.

The New York Times - Arts

Stanton stopped the car and cut the engine.

The New Yorker

We cut the engine and the silence is acute.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

After a half-hour's voyage, he cut the engines.

The New York Times - Sports

We finally were offshore from the water tower and Dan cut the engines.

The New York Times

The captain cut the engines and let the tide pull us toward it, coasting a hundred yards offshore.

The New Yorker

The captain cut the engines and the passengers stood in silence as Holgate cracked, gasped and released chunks of its face into the ocean.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions, use "cut the engine" to clearly and concisely tell someone to stop the engine. This phrase works well in both informal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

While "cut the engine" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in highly formal or technical documents. Instead, opt for phrases like "deactivate the engine" or "shut down the engine" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cut the engine" functions primarily as an imperative, directing someone to stop the engine. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which validates the phrase's grammatical correctness. It's widely used in various contexts to give a clear instruction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cut the engine" is a common and correct way to instruct someone to stop an engine. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best to reserve it for neutral to informal situations, opting for more formal alternatives like "shut down the engine" in technical writing. Remember to be specific and concise in your instructions. By understanding its nuances and proper context, you can effectively use "cut the engine" in your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

switch off the engine

Replaces "cut" with "switch off", providing a slightly more formal tone.

turn off the engine

Similar to "switch off the engine", this is a common and easily understood alternative.

shut down the engine

Emphasizes a complete halt of the engine's operation.

kill the engine

A more abrupt and informal way to express stopping the engine.

power down the engine

Suggests a controlled reduction of power leading to a stop, often used in technical contexts.

stop the motor

Uses "motor" as a synonym for "engine", suitable for smaller vehicles or machines.

deactivate the engine

A more technical term, implying a systematic process of disabling the engine.

bring the engine to a halt

A more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the process of stopping.

turn the ignition off

Focuses on the ignition system as the means of stopping the engine.

cease engine operation

Formal and technical, indicating a complete cessation of the engine's function.

FAQs

How can I use "cut the engine" in a sentence?

You can use "cut the engine" in sentences like, "When we reached the shore, I told him to cut the engine," or "She parked the car and cut the engine."

What's a more formal alternative to "cut the engine"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases such as "deactivate the engine" or "shut down the engine".

Is "cut the engine" appropriate for technical writing?

While understandable, "cut the engine" may be too informal for highly technical documents. Use more precise terms like "cease engine operation" in those cases.

What does "cut the engine" mean?

"Cut the engine" means to stop the engine from running, typically in a vehicle or machine.