cut up

USAGE SUMMARY

"cut up" is an acceptable phrase to use in written English.
You can use it either literally, as in to physically cut something, or figuratively, as in to break something into parts. For example, you could say: "They cut up the old sofa and had a big bonfire in their garden."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We tease and cut up".

The New York Times - Sports

They're cut up.

The Guardian - Sport

Everyone's really cut up.

The Guardian - Sport

Cut up to serve.

The New York Times - Food

They're all cut up.

The Guardian - Film

Was cut up at Salem, Mass.

The New Yorker

"Help them cut up string beans.

The New York Times - Health

We cut up onions, celery, potatoes, parsley.

The New York Times

"Cut up that fish," Nell said.

The New Yorker

I cut up the salami.

The New York Times - Food

"I'll cut up this tomater".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cut up" to mean emotionally distressed, consider the audience; it's generally informal. In formal contexts, use "distraught" or "upset".

Common error

Avoid using "cut up" in highly formal or professional writing when referring to emotional distress. More appropriate synonyms in those situations include "distressed", "grieved", or "saddened".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cut up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb with multiple meanings, ranging from the literal action of cutting something into smaller pieces to the more figurative sense of causing emotional distress. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

31%

News & Media

29%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cut up" is a versatile phrasal verb with both literal and figurative meanings. As Ludwig AI points out, it is acceptable to use "cut up" in written English. It's commonly found in News & Media and Wiki contexts to indicate the action of cutting something into smaller parts or to describe emotional distress. While generally acceptable, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "distraught" in professional or academic settings. The phrase is very common and has several semantically related alternatives such as "chop up" and "slice up".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chop up

Replaces "cut" with "chop", implying a rougher, less precise cutting action.

slice up

Specifies that the cutting is done in slices.

dice

Indicates a specific type of cutting into small cubes.

mince

Refers to cutting into very fine pieces.

dissect

Suggests a careful and methodical cutting, often for scientific purposes.

fragment

Implies breaking something into fragments rather than neatly cutting it.

bisect

Means to cut into two equal parts.

lacerate

Suggests a rough or jagged cutting, often causing injury.

distraught

This alternative refers to emotional distress, similar to one figurative meaning of "cut up".

break down

This means disassembling something into smaller parts.

FAQs

How is "cut up" used in cooking?

In cooking, "cut up" means to divide food items into smaller pieces for easier preparation or consumption. For instance, you might "cut up" vegetables for a salad or stew.

When is it appropriate to use "cut up" to describe someone's emotional state?

Using "cut up" to describe someone's emotional state is generally informal and suggests that the person is emotionally upset or distressed. A more formal alternative would be "distraught".

What's the difference between "chop up" and "cut up"?

"Cut up" is a general term for dividing something with a sharp object. "Chop up" often implies a rougher, less precise cutting action.

Can "cut up" have a negative connotation?

Yes, particularly when referring to severely criticizing someone or something, or when describing emotional distress. The severity of the connotation depends on the context.