cutting class

USAGE SUMMARY

"cutting class" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of intentionally skipping or not attending a scheduled class or lesson. Here is an example sentence: I got in trouble for cutting class yesterday, but it was worth it because I got to spend the whole day at the beach with my friends.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I started cutting class.

The New York Times

Sorry, I don't know if anybody here is cutting class.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But there is a difference between quitting school — even if it's not forever — and cutting class.

The New York Times - Sports

Doesn't like the idea of school: "Going nowhere fast/and cutting class".

The New York Times - Arts

I felt like we were cutting class and hanging out somewhere in the high school.

The Guardian - Music

"When kids drink and smoke it relates to cutting class, dropping out of school, violence, fighting and premarital sex".

The New York Times

There's something about those last few weeks of high school when even the good kids start cutting class.

The Guardian - Film

They were cutting class at Tottenville High School, on their way to Brooklyn for a little fun.

The New York Times

Hiring more teaching staff and cutting class sizes would probably be of more help to undergraduates than much of the new construction.

The Economist

In the previous year, Christian added, he'd gotten into a pattern of cutting class, smoking and focusing more on girls than school.

The New York Times

But at 13, he started smoking marijuana and cutting class, preferring instead to make money by catching and selling fish, where he earned up to $400 a day.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about school-related topics, "cutting class" is appropriate in many contexts, but consider your audience. For more formal writing, use "absenting oneself from class".

Common error

Be careful not to confuse the phrase "cutting class", which refers to skipping a class, with "cutting class sizes", which refers to reducing the number of students in a class.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cutting class" functions as a verb phrase, describing the action of intentionally missing a scheduled class. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and grammatically correct expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cutting class" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe skipping school, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, its register is typically neutral to informal. Related alternatives include "skipping class" and "playing hooky", with "absenting oneself from class" being a more formal option. A common error is confusing it with "cutting class sizes", which has a different meaning. Therefore, while writing, consider your audience and aim for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skipping class

A more general and commonly understood term for missing class.

ditching class

Similar to skipping, implies a deliberate act.

playing hooky

An informal and often playful way to describe skipping school or class.

avoiding class

Highlights the act of deliberately staying away from a class.

not attending class

A straightforward description of the action.

skipping lectures

Specifies missing lectures rather than other types of classes.

missing school

Focuses on the result of not being in class.

bunking off

British English equivalent to skipping class.

absenting oneself from class

A more formal way of saying skipping class, suitable for official reports.

being truant

A legal term for unexcused absence from school.

FAQs

What does "cutting class" mean?

"Cutting class" means intentionally missing or skipping a scheduled class or lesson without a valid excuse.

What's a less informal alternative to "cutting class"?

A less informal alternative is "absenting oneself from class", which is suitable for more formal contexts.

Is "skipping class" the same as "cutting class"?

Yes, "skipping class" and "cutting class" are generally interchangeable and have the same meaning.

What are some reasons why students might "cut class"?

Students might "cut class" due to boredom, stress, social activities, or a lack of interest in the subject matter. Financial issues or other personal problems can also play a role.