cut themselves off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cut themselves off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone separating themselves from a situation they don't want to be in or to describe someone completely disengaging from something. Example sentence: After years of arguing, the couple finally chose to cut themselves off from the rest of the family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They cut themselves off from new circumstances and growth.

The New York Times

Countries cut themselves off from it at their peril.

The Economist

Few want to cut themselves off forever from American girls and American jobs and their families.

The New Yorker

Corporations have cut themselves off from participation in a larger public realm.

The New York Times

If they cut themselves off from trade, manpower will be cheap relative to capital.

The Economist

" "Nikkei thinks it can go online, but cut themselves off from the wider Internet.

The New York Times - Tech

That is not to say that students cut themselves off from the outside world altogether.

The New York Times

It is Mr. Wilson's point, of course, that when people cut themselves off from their heritage, they cut themselves off from the source of their song.

The New York Times

It is difficult to ask people to cut themselves off from their community.

The Guardian - Tech

"It's hard for me to imagine that someone would intentionally cut themselves off," she says.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I want to suggest to these gentlemen that they cut themselves off from these instructions".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use it to describe a deliberate act of separation, emphasizing the agency of the individuals involved.

Common error

Avoid using "cut themselves off" when the action is being done to them, rather than by them. The phrase implies a self-initiated act of separation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cut themselves off" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is performing the action of cutting off, upon themselves. Ludwig examples show diverse contexts, like separating from society, heritage, or even technology.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cut themselves off" describes a deliberate act of separation or isolation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across varied contexts, particularly in News & Media. To enhance clarity in your writing, ensure the object of separation is explicitly stated. Avoid misuse by remembering the reflexive nature: the subjects are actively causing the separation. Consider alternatives like "isolate themselves" or "distance themselves" to fine-tune the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

isolate themselves

Replaces "cut off" with a single verb emphasizing the act of becoming isolated.

separate themselves

Focuses on the act of creating a division or barrier.

distance themselves

Emphasizes creating emotional or social space.

withdraw from society

Highlights a retreat from communal life and interaction.

become estranged

Suggests a breakdown in relationships, leading to separation.

seclude themselves

Implies a deliberate choice to live in isolation.

disassociate themselves

Highlights a formal or conscious decision to sever ties.

detach themselves

Emphasizes a removal of emotional connection or involvement.

divorce themselves

Highlights a complete separation or ending of a relationship.

break ties

A more direct and general way to describe ending relationships or connections.

FAQs

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

You can use "cut themselves off" to describe a situation where people isolate themselves from something, as in, "Weary of the hostility they face from the outside world, Roma communities are prone to "cut themselves off" from society and its laws."

What does it mean to "cut themselves off" from something?

To "cut themselves off" means to isolate or separate themselves, either physically or emotionally, from someone or something.

What's a good alternative to "cut themselves off"?

Alternatives to "cut themselves off" include "isolate themselves", "separate themselves", or "distance themselves", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "cut himself off" or "cut herself off" instead of "cut themselves off"?

Yes, but the reflexive pronoun should match the subject's number. Use "cut himself off" for a single male subject and "cut herself off" for a single female subject. "Cut themselves off" is for plural or gender-neutral contexts.